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ANDRES HERKEL: "WE ARE HOLDING DISCUSSIONS ON AZERBAIJAN TODAY BECAUSE THE SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY STILL CREATES CONCERNS" - UPDATED
Today.Az
24 June 2008
The activity of democratic institutions in Azerbaijan is discussed
on the second working day of the summer session of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
"I do hope that Armenian delegation and Armenian opposition will
recognize the fact of Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani lands",
said member of Azerbaijani delegation Gultekin Hajiyeva.
She reminded that a part of Azerbaijani lands are under occupation,
which contradicts to the CE principles.
"The issue of Azerbaijan's execution of its commitments before the
Council of Europe has been discussed more than once. There are serious
problems with democracy, corruption and others in most post-Soviet
countries.
We have witnessed application of double standards in approaches to
these issues. One should be objective while speaking about these
countries.
Destruction of Christian and Albanian cemeteries creates concern of
the PACE Committee for Culture, Education and Science.
There is a question: why should we ruin our cultural and historical
heritage? Numerous Azerbaijani historical and cultural memorials
have been destroyed in Armenia. We would like the PACE committee
to reflect in its report the fact of destruction of hundreds of
Azerbaijani mosques and cemeteries by Armenians and not focus only on
Nakhchivam. Azerbaijan is always ready for cooperation in this sphere".
In turn, chairman of the PACE Monitoring Committee Sergey Qolovatiy
announced that issues, connected with the report, were initially
discussed in the monitoring committee.
"If 7-8 reports are prepared on Azerbaijan, it is not our mistake. The
country should oberve principles of democracy, legal state and
supremacy of law, respect human rights. I hope this issue will not
be raised in 2009.
Even if discussions on Azerbaijan are held, we will not discuss
violations during the elections, which depends on the will of the
Azerbaijani government".
Discussions in PACE are going on.
------------ 15:20
Co-rapporteurs of the PACE Monitoring Committee on Azerbaijan Andres
Herkel and Eugenia Zivkova delivered speeches at the meeting, APA
European bureau reports.
Andres Herkel said the situation in Azerbaijan still causes concern.
"We have to think about why today we are discussing Azerbaijan again:
because the situation in Azerbaijan still causes concern. We are
concerned with the human rights situation, particularly with the
freedom of mass media in the country. The situation in this field is
no heartwarming.
Unfortunately, such kind of facts can play a negative role in the
achievement of positive changes. However, we welcome the adoption of
law on the "Freedom of Assembly" and parliament discussions on the
prevention of money laundering and terrorism. I believe these laws will
also be adopted soon. One of the main points relates to the amendments
to the Electoral Code on the basis of our and Venice Commission's
recommendations. I would like to note that not all recommendations were
discussed in the parliament and there are problems in the formation of
election commissions. Arrest of the journalists creates non-friendly
pre-election environment. May be there are criminal elements in these
arrests, but we should acknowledge that it has political sides too".
Eugenia Zivkova positively assessed the releasing of 59 persons,
including 5 journalists by the pardon decree issued by President
Ilham Aliyev.
"I consider you will see that this report was balanced. We consider
that next elections in Azerbaijan will be more democratic. Points of
this report are very objective, but I should notice that the problems
remain in some fields."
Discussions of the report on "Activity of democratic institutions in
Azerbaijan" are going on.
Today.Az
24 June 2008
The activity of democratic institutions in Azerbaijan is discussed
on the second working day of the summer session of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
"I do hope that Armenian delegation and Armenian opposition will
recognize the fact of Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani lands",
said member of Azerbaijani delegation Gultekin Hajiyeva.
She reminded that a part of Azerbaijani lands are under occupation,
which contradicts to the CE principles.
"The issue of Azerbaijan's execution of its commitments before the
Council of Europe has been discussed more than once. There are serious
problems with democracy, corruption and others in most post-Soviet
countries.
We have witnessed application of double standards in approaches to
these issues. One should be objective while speaking about these
countries.
Destruction of Christian and Albanian cemeteries creates concern of
the PACE Committee for Culture, Education and Science.
There is a question: why should we ruin our cultural and historical
heritage? Numerous Azerbaijani historical and cultural memorials
have been destroyed in Armenia. We would like the PACE committee
to reflect in its report the fact of destruction of hundreds of
Azerbaijani mosques and cemeteries by Armenians and not focus only on
Nakhchivam. Azerbaijan is always ready for cooperation in this sphere".
In turn, chairman of the PACE Monitoring Committee Sergey Qolovatiy
announced that issues, connected with the report, were initially
discussed in the monitoring committee.
"If 7-8 reports are prepared on Azerbaijan, it is not our mistake. The
country should oberve principles of democracy, legal state and
supremacy of law, respect human rights. I hope this issue will not
be raised in 2009.
Even if discussions on Azerbaijan are held, we will not discuss
violations during the elections, which depends on the will of the
Azerbaijani government".
Discussions in PACE are going on.
------------ 15:20
Co-rapporteurs of the PACE Monitoring Committee on Azerbaijan Andres
Herkel and Eugenia Zivkova delivered speeches at the meeting, APA
European bureau reports.
Andres Herkel said the situation in Azerbaijan still causes concern.
"We have to think about why today we are discussing Azerbaijan again:
because the situation in Azerbaijan still causes concern. We are
concerned with the human rights situation, particularly with the
freedom of mass media in the country. The situation in this field is
no heartwarming.
Unfortunately, such kind of facts can play a negative role in the
achievement of positive changes. However, we welcome the adoption of
law on the "Freedom of Assembly" and parliament discussions on the
prevention of money laundering and terrorism. I believe these laws will
also be adopted soon. One of the main points relates to the amendments
to the Electoral Code on the basis of our and Venice Commission's
recommendations. I would like to note that not all recommendations were
discussed in the parliament and there are problems in the formation of
election commissions. Arrest of the journalists creates non-friendly
pre-election environment. May be there are criminal elements in these
arrests, but we should acknowledge that it has political sides too".
Eugenia Zivkova positively assessed the releasing of 59 persons,
including 5 journalists by the pardon decree issued by President
Ilham Aliyev.
"I consider you will see that this report was balanced. We consider
that next elections in Azerbaijan will be more democratic. Points of
this report are very objective, but I should notice that the problems
remain in some fields."
Discussions of the report on "Activity of democratic institutions in
Azerbaijan" are going on.