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ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN MUST RESPECT CoE COMMITMENTS
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[08:33 pm] 09 July, 2007
Strasbourg, 09.07.2007 - Lasting prosperity and sustainable development
are not possible without respecting the CoE fundamental values of
democracy, human rights and the rule of law, declared Rene van der
Linden, President of PACE, at the end of his visit to Azerbaijan on
8-9 July 2007.
The President stressed, in particular, the importance of free and fair
elections which are the basis of each democratic system. Therefore
it is of the utmost importance that the 2008 Presidential elections
take place in accordance with the CoE standards and mark a striking
difference with the 2005 parliamentary elections.
Mr van der Linden urged the authorities to intensify cooperation
with the CoE to improve the election legislation, in particular as
regards the composition and functioning of electoral commissions and
the rights of observers.
Freedom of demonstration, of media, unrestraint functioning
of political parties and independent justice are the pillars of
democracy, underlined Mr van der Linden. The authorities must examine
very seriously the concerns regarding the existing problems in this
area and to take the necessary measures to comply with CoE standards.
Particular attention must be given to the cases of journalists
in prison and other persons allegedly imprisoned for political
reasons. Those of them in bad health should be released on humanitarian
grounds.
In Resolution 1416 (2005), the Assembly held that "considerable
parts of the territory of Azerbaijan are still occupied by Armenian
forces". Regrettably, this situation has not changed since my
last visit in 2005, said PACE President. Political leaders on both
sides must show determination to give a new political impetus to the
negotiations. In any case, Armenia and Azerbaijan must respect their
commitment taken upon accession to the CoE to use only peaceful means
for settling the conflict.
The Assembly contributes to the democratic reforms in Azerbaijan
through its monitoring procedure which is a privileged tool of
assistance and dialogue between PACE and the authorities of Azerbaijan,
concluded Mr van der Linden.
The visit to Azerbaijan was the last part of PACE President's South
Caucasian trip including also Armenia and Georgia.
Free and fair elections are the basic condition of democratic
development, says PACE President in Baku.
A1+
[08:33 pm] 09 July, 2007
Strasbourg, 09.07.2007 - Lasting prosperity and sustainable development
are not possible without respecting the CoE fundamental values of
democracy, human rights and the rule of law, declared Rene van der
Linden, President of PACE, at the end of his visit to Azerbaijan on
8-9 July 2007.
The President stressed, in particular, the importance of free and fair
elections which are the basis of each democratic system. Therefore
it is of the utmost importance that the 2008 Presidential elections
take place in accordance with the CoE standards and mark a striking
difference with the 2005 parliamentary elections.
Mr van der Linden urged the authorities to intensify cooperation
with the CoE to improve the election legislation, in particular as
regards the composition and functioning of electoral commissions and
the rights of observers.
Freedom of demonstration, of media, unrestraint functioning
of political parties and independent justice are the pillars of
democracy, underlined Mr van der Linden. The authorities must examine
very seriously the concerns regarding the existing problems in this
area and to take the necessary measures to comply with CoE standards.
Particular attention must be given to the cases of journalists
in prison and other persons allegedly imprisoned for political
reasons. Those of them in bad health should be released on humanitarian
grounds.
In Resolution 1416 (2005), the Assembly held that "considerable
parts of the territory of Azerbaijan are still occupied by Armenian
forces". Regrettably, this situation has not changed since my
last visit in 2005, said PACE President. Political leaders on both
sides must show determination to give a new political impetus to the
negotiations. In any case, Armenia and Azerbaijan must respect their
commitment taken upon accession to the CoE to use only peaceful means
for settling the conflict.
The Assembly contributes to the democratic reforms in Azerbaijan
through its monitoring procedure which is a privileged tool of
assistance and dialogue between PACE and the authorities of Azerbaijan,
concluded Mr van der Linden.
The visit to Azerbaijan was the last part of PACE President's South
Caucasian trip including also Armenia and Georgia.
Free and fair elections are the basic condition of democratic
development, says PACE President in Baku.