Council of Europe Committee of Ministers Warns of Sanctions if Mammadov Is Not Released
Baku / 23.09.16 / Turan: The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe at the 20-21 September meeting found a violation of the European Convention of Human Rights and Freedoms in Azerbaijan that would not release the leader of the opposition movement REAL, Ilgar Mammadov.
Discussing Baku’s refusal to execute the ECHR judgment on the case of Ilgar Mammadov, the Committee of Ministers adopted a decree. It says that no release of Mammadov is a violation of Article 46.1 of the European Convention for Human Rights and Freedoms, which requires mandatory execution of ECHR judgments.
The Committee called on the Azerbaijani authorities to fulfill their obligations voluntarily. At the same time it expressed concern about the government's refusal to inform the Committee of Ministers on the Mammadov case.
The Committee expressed a hope that the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan within a reasonable time would consider Mammadov’s complaint.
Commenting on this decision, the human rights activist Rasul Jafarov said the Committee of Ministers for the first time refers to Article 46 on Azerbaijan.
According to Paragraph 4 of the same article, a country that evades the execution of the ECHR decision may be subject to sanctions. In other words, the Committee of Ministers made it clear that in case of further non-fulfillment of the ECHR decisions, sanctions can be taken against Azerbaijan.
* Mammadov was arrested on false charges of organizing riots in the town of Ismayilli in January 2013 and sentenced to 7 years in prison. In May 2014 the ECHR recognized the illegality of Mammadov’s arrest and called for his release. -06D--
Politics
-
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova has decided to unilaterally terminate the Moldovan-Russian agreement from 1998 on the creation and operation of cultural centers.
-
By the order of the head of state, Rufat Mahmud has been appointed the new head of the historical and architectural reserve "Icheri Sheher" – the historic center of Baku.
-
On February 13, the Appeal Court did not satisfy the defense's appeal against the decision of the Khatai Court regarding the arrest of journalist Shahnaz Beylargizi. According to the lawyer, the journalist herself did not participate in the trial due to poor health. The defense intends to submit a petition to replace the arrest with house arrest.
-
Azerbaijan will limit 'Sputnik Azerbaijan' and 'BBC News Azərbaycanca' editorial offices. This was reported by the country's pro-government media on 13 February, citing an informed source.
Leave a review