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FREEDOM HOUSE: AZERBAIJAN REGISTERS DECLINE IN DEMOCRACY IN A YEAR
20:08 12/06/2014 >> LAW
Azerbaijan has worsened its index in the sphere of democracy and
is still ruled by an authoritarian regime reads the new report on
Nations in Transit 2014 written by the international organization
Freedom House.
Freedom House has analyzed the democracy progress in 29 countries
in Central Europe and Eurasia, 13 of which were called democratic,
6 - transition countries and 10 - authoritarian. Democracy degree
is measured at 7-point scale, where 1 is the highest point and 7 -
the lowest.
According to the article Armenia over the past year has not recorded
changes in the field of democracy and is ranked among the transition
countries. Georgia has made progress in the area of media freedom and
has improved the electoral processes. Except Armenia, Moldova and
Kyrgyzstan the other CIS countries are classified as authoritarian
states.
It is noteworthy that the electoral process in Azerbaijan received
the least point - 7 points. All other areas - freedom of media,
the justice system, corruption, etc. received not more than 6.5 points.
"Azerbaijan is ruled by an authoritarian regime characterized
by intolerance for dissent and disregard for civil liberties and
political rights," the document reads.
It is noted that the presidential elections held in October 2013,
have become known for their serious irregularities.
"In a year were held series of protests in the capital and in the
regions. Some of these demonstrations were organized by the opposition;
others appeared spontaneous, most notably the riots in the town
of Ismayilli at the end of January and rallies in Baku protesting
violence in the military in March. Throughout the year, the regime
arrested and detained political opponents, activists, and journalists
and used bogus charges against its critics," the report reads.
On the eve of elections the government had increased pressure over the
independent media. In late 2013 two opposition newspapers, "Azadlig"
and "Musavat", faced the threat of closure due to excessively large
fines.
"The state's control over oil resources and the oligarchic structure
of the economy contribute to widespread corruption in Azerbaijan,"
the Freedom House concludes.
Source: Panorama.am
20:08 12/06/2014 >> LAW
Azerbaijan has worsened its index in the sphere of democracy and
is still ruled by an authoritarian regime reads the new report on
Nations in Transit 2014 written by the international organization
Freedom House.
Freedom House has analyzed the democracy progress in 29 countries
in Central Europe and Eurasia, 13 of which were called democratic,
6 - transition countries and 10 - authoritarian. Democracy degree
is measured at 7-point scale, where 1 is the highest point and 7 -
the lowest.
According to the article Armenia over the past year has not recorded
changes in the field of democracy and is ranked among the transition
countries. Georgia has made progress in the area of media freedom and
has improved the electoral processes. Except Armenia, Moldova and
Kyrgyzstan the other CIS countries are classified as authoritarian
states.
It is noteworthy that the electoral process in Azerbaijan received
the least point - 7 points. All other areas - freedom of media,
the justice system, corruption, etc. received not more than 6.5 points.
"Azerbaijan is ruled by an authoritarian regime characterized
by intolerance for dissent and disregard for civil liberties and
political rights," the document reads.
It is noted that the presidential elections held in October 2013,
have become known for their serious irregularities.
"In a year were held series of protests in the capital and in the
regions. Some of these demonstrations were organized by the opposition;
others appeared spontaneous, most notably the riots in the town
of Ismayilli at the end of January and rallies in Baku protesting
violence in the military in March. Throughout the year, the regime
arrested and detained political opponents, activists, and journalists
and used bogus charges against its critics," the report reads.
On the eve of elections the government had increased pressure over the
independent media. In late 2013 two opposition newspapers, "Azadlig"
and "Musavat", faced the threat of closure due to excessively large
fines.
"The state's control over oil resources and the oligarchic structure
of the economy contribute to widespread corruption in Azerbaijan,"
the Freedom House concludes.
Source: Panorama.am