EU and Azerbaijan discussed justice, human rights and democracy

Baku/09.05.21/Turan: Justice, human rights and democracy were discussed on May 8 at the meeting of the head of the European Union (EU) delegation in Baku, Kastutis Yankauskas, with the Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Mahmud Mammad-Guliyev. ...

According to the EU delegation in Azerbaijan, Kastutis Yankauskas welcomed the reinstatement of human rights lawyers Shahla Humbatova and Irada Javadova by the Azerbaijani Bar Association and expressed hope that the cases of other dismissed lawyers will be considered.

The head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan noted that human rights defenders are the pillars of the rule of law and play an exceptional role in protecting democratic values.

The meeting concluded with the ninth meeting of the EU-Azerbaijan Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom, Security, Human Rights and Democracy, which took place on April 26-27.

The purpose of the subcommittee meeting is to review the latest developments in the areas of justice, freedom, security, human rights and democracy since the last meeting in March 2020, as well as discuss current reforms, reform implementation and future plans, including in these areas. An exchange of views took place on the assistance and cooperation that the EU can provide.

EU Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore presented a general report on the challenges faced by human rights in the EU and the development of a political concept following the recent dialogue on human rights between the EU and Azerbaijan.

“The presence of the Special Representative testifies to the EU's commitment to respecting human rights in relations between the EU and Azerbaijan,” the EU delegation in Baku said.

The mission believes that the COVID-19 pandemic and its socio-economic impact have had a negative impact on human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

"In the post-war period, the EU stressed the importance of holding accountable for any violation of international humanitarian law, which must be thoroughly and objectively investigated. The EU also stressed the importance of completing the return of the remaining Armenian servicemen in accordance with international humanitarian law and obligations. The return of IDPs remains a priority for Azerbaijan. In this regard, there is an urgent need to clear the land from mines, since this is a key condition for the safe return of people to the conflict zones, ”the statement said.

The first part of the meeting of the EU-Azerbaijan Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom, Security, Human Rights and Democracy was devoted to human rights and democracy. The EU and Azerbaijan discussed ongoing calls for freedom of assembly, association and expression. Both sides were informed about innovations in the field of gender equality and human rights, and exchanged views on cooperation in the international multilateral and regional arenas.

In the second part of the meeting of the subcommittee, the EU and Azerbaijan considered reforms in the field of justice and discussed effective cooperation in the field of migration, political asylum and border management. The EU and Azerbaijan also discussed developments in the field of combating organized crime, human trafficking and drug trafficking. The parties exchanged information on the steps and reforms taken in the fight against corruption, as well as on the legal framework for the protection of personal data. -0-