ECHR Fines Azerbaijan for Violation of Property Rights by 350,000 Euros

Baku / 08.26.19 / Turan: The Institute for Democratic Initiatives (IDI) has prepared a study on the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) for violation of property rights in Azerbaijan. The study was conducted on the basis of information from applicants and lawyers on 37 decisions of the ECHR.

It has been established that in 33 cases the Government paid compensation to the applicants, totaling EUR 354,229.06. At the same time, according to 29 decisions, the execution of decisions has not been ensured. There are gaps not only with the implementation of the decisions of the ECHR, but also in the execution mechanism.

"So, there is no state body responsible for implementing the decisions of the ECHR. Such a body is necessary, and its activity should be transparent for applicants and for society as a whole," the document says.

The IDI recommends that the government eliminate the problems of securing property rights and timely and fully implement the decisions of the ECHR.

Azerbaijan also needs to strengthen cooperation with the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Trainings and educational measures are important for judges and employees of various state bodies in order to eliminate violations and arbitrariness in the field of property rights.

In addition, conditions should be created for the participation of applicants and their representatives and civil society institutions in the execution of the judgments of the ECHR.

* The NGO Institute of Democratic Initiatives (IDI) was established on November 5, 2013 by a group of lawyers and public activists with the aim of promoting the formation of an open society in Azerbaijan through democratic initiatives. The IDI is headed by a former member of the country's Central Election Commission, Akif Gurbanov. He was the only CEC member who did not sign the final protocol on the presidential election on October 13, 2013, due to numerous violations. --03B06-