Azerbaijan Heavily Criticized at the UN

Yesterday, in Geneva a regular UN Council meeting was held on Human Rights, which discussed the government’s universal report on this situation in Azerbaijan.

The head of the delegation of official Baku, Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov, presented the report and outlined measures to ensure the rights of man.

He reported Azerbaijan's accession against Torture to the Convention, and said the law on freedom was in accordance with European standards. At the same time, Khalafov complained how rally organizers announce their actions will take place in one location, but then carry them out at another location, which constitutes an administrative offense.

Responding to discussion questions, Deputy Minister of Justice, Togrul Musayev talked about judicial reform, court regulation by an independent body, the Judicial Council, and the selection of judges by a Nomination Committee.

Musayev spoke about the effectiveness of newly created administrative and economic courts.

He argued that there is no problem for the 3,000 registered NGOs that have increased by 20%.  In addition, NGOs can operate without registering. As for the recent amendments to the law on NGOs, this is done to organize their activities.

Musayev also said that in rare cases, the Ministry of Justice have made appeals to the court to cancel the registration of NGOs.

The chief of the Presidential Administration’s Sector for Human Rights, Chingiz Askerov argued that criminal penalties for defamation follow European laws.

During the discussions, representatives of post-Soviet countries praised the situation in Azerbaijan, while the majority of representatives from Europe and the United States criticized Azerbaijan.

Thus, a Germany representative called for respect to the requirements of the PACE to allow rallies, to put an end to the pressures on the press, and respect freedom of speech and expression.

The representative from France made a proposal to authorities to start a dialogue with civil society in order to determine the place for meetings, and to provide conditions for the free expression of opinions by citizens.

Hungary’s representative pointed out the inadequacy of punishment for participation in uncoordinated actions.

The representative from Poland expressed concern with reported facts of torture and death in the prisons of Azerbaijan, noting a need to investigate these cases.

The representative of Slovakia called for an end to the use of force against peaceful demonstrators.

United Kingdom’s representative made a point that in an election year, it is important to ensure peaceful assembly, and to terminate the pressure put on human rights activists and journalists.

The representative of the United States expressed concern about the arrest of journalists, calling for the release of media workers, to provide activists to hold rallies in the center of the city, and remove obstacles on NGOs activities.

While these criticisms were voiced, Halafov said that Azerbaijan is open for dialogue. According to him, the country is open to all organizations with a human rights mandates.  He pledged Azerbaijan’s commitment to hold free and fair elections, and to continue cooperation with European institutions.

According to him, in the area of ​​civil and political rights, Azerbaijan has made big achievements, but there are drawbacks. With regard to human rights issues, some of them are associated with the appling the law, and another drawback is occupation of Azerbaijani lands.

In all, 83 states put forth their recommendations to the Government of Azerbaijan in connection with the report. Within 6 months, the government should accept or reject the recommendations.

Note that the UN Council on Human Rights has submitted an alternative report on the situation in Azerbaijan by local and international human rights activists. -06D –