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Murad Sadaddinov: "PACE Monitoring System Is In A State Of Crisis To

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  • Murad Sadaddinov: "PACE Monitoring System Is In A State Of Crisis To

    MURAD SADADDINOV: "PACE MONITORING SYSTEM IS IN A STATE OF CRISIS TODAY. IT IS UNABLE TO ENSURE FULFILLMENT OF BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE EUROPEAN CONVENTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS"

    Today.Az
    30 June 2008

    Day.Az interview with Murad Sadaddinov, co-chairman of the Fund for
    Protection of Democratic and Human Rights.

    - Do you think the PACE resolution "On functioning of democratic
    institutions in Azerbaijan" was balanced?

    - First of all I would like to note that I attended the June session by
    invitation of the PACE secretary general at the conference "Democracy
    in Europe and problems of migration", where we discussed and presented
    our recommendations on two reports, adopted in PACE on June 25.

    In the framework of the conference I watched the debates while
    discussing the report on functioning of democratic institutions
    in Azerbaijan.

    For several years we have not faced anything new in the PACE adopted
    documents. We see here a certain format formed in such kind of
    materials. As British Parliamentarian Mr. Hankock said during the
    discussions, the name of the country can be changed to match other
    countries as well.

    In general, there are moments on which I agree and there are some
    I can not agree. But the report is not the critical one. Today the
    most important issue is that the countries, monitored by PACE, got
    used to these documents and do not settle existing problems. PACE
    monitoring system is in a state of crisis today. It is unable to
    ensure fulfillment of basic principles of the European convention of
    human rights in the CE member-states.

    PACE mainly uses two opportunities to influence the countries. First
    to persuade the government to adhere to certain recommendations by
    way of a dialogue between rapporteurs and other high ranking persons
    of PACE and second-by way of discussions of the country's commitments
    at a plenary session.

    I consider that PACE needs urgent reforms in the monitoring system. It
    is wrong to entrust the face and problems of a state to two deputies.

    They are physically unable to do it and even so more they are replaced
    from time to time. Unfortunately, there are some people, who aren't
    able to analyze and settle these problems due to their professional
    capacities and experience. For this purpose, it is necessary to create
    a permanent structure of PACE, which would study problems in the
    countries subjected to monitoring, in a deep and consistent manner,
    and work out serious recommendations and, even so more, the ways of
    their implementation, as today the problem lies in the absence of
    mechanisms for implementation of basic principles of the European
    Convention of Human Rights on the whole area of the Council of Europe.

    - Do you think the Azerbaijani government will take the resolution
    seriously? Do the authorities intend to take PACE recommendations
    into account?

    - The Azerbaijani government has already worked out the system of
    relations with PACE long before and I think it will adhere to those
    point with are acceptable and everything will remain the same with
    moot questions.

    - The adopted resolution calls on the Azerbaijani leadership to free
    the three reporters and five "political prisoners". Do you think the
    authorities will undertake this step?

    - The authorities will free these prisoners sooner or later, but
    the adopted resolution will not be a key factor in this issue. The
    working rapporteurs failed to create necessary trustful relations with
    the country's government and to persuade them to free the reporters,
    as it was previously done by PACE rapporteurs George Clearfate and
    Malk Bruce.

    - Secretary of the CE Venice Commission Janni Bukikkio announced that
    if presidential elections in Azerbaijan are not democratic, PACE may
    apply sanctions towards Azerbaijan. Do you think these announcements
    are real?

    - Venice Commission is a consultative body, providing legal
    recommendations to the CE member-states, considering the basic
    principles of the Council of Europe and it is incorrect for the head
    of this structure to make announcements on behalf of PACE.

    What PACE will do by results of elections is a prerogative of the
    parliamentary assembly and its authorized persons. Perhaps, it is
    primarily necessary to consider the reaction at the recent elections
    in Russia and Armenia. Armenian opposition is still in jail are there
    are victims, but PACE gives time until January. In my opinion, the
    arrested will spend their time in jail until at least the end of the
    year and murders will escape justice. It is not a secret that PACE
    is not able to cope with the task, set before it in this sphere.

    - The PACE resolution fixes support to internationally recognized
    borders of Azerbaijan and demands the immediate withdrawal of Armenian
    troops from the occupied lands. How did Armenian delegation react to
    such announcement?

    - The reaction was unambiguous and representatives of the Armenian
    delegation worked our and proposed several amendments to the final
    document on exclusion of the aforementioned moments, which were not
    supported among the majority of PACE delegates. They spoke referring
    to the nation's right for self-determination.

    How many times can a nation self-determine, if there is a separate
    state of Armenia. Will new states emerge in places where Armenians
    reside? If we apply this principle to other peoples throughout the
    world, we will have an absurd. On the basis of these principles,
    we can attain recognition of several quarters or houses as states.

    Or references to the so-called "return of the territories of Great
    Armenia".

    If we imagine hypothetically the existence of such a state, basing on
    this "logic" it is necessary to return the Balkan peninsula to Turkey,
    Near East to Greece, Eurasia to Mongols (but before it, to decide to
    whom it belongs more- to Mongols or Tatars). If seriously, Armenians
    should take lessons from the situation, nationalists led them to,
    disavow senseless territorial claims against its neighbors and ponder
    over their future. It is evident that Armenia has self-isolated from
    all perspective projects in our country.

    The country should live for future not for past.

    Otherwise, Armenia's position in PACE and other international
    organization will weaken day by day.
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