NCDF expects from PACE objectivity and integrity

National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF) of Azerbaijan sent a letter to PACE criticized the activity of this structure. "All hopes on democracy  were connected  with the CE, which Azerbaijan  joined become in 2001.  But  the expectations  did not come true, and  PACE has lost its credibility as a functional institution," the statement says.

Authors of the  appeal reminded  non-acceptance by members of the PACE  the report of  Christopher Strasser on political prisoners in Azerbaijan . "It was not a defeat of  Strasser, it was a defeat of  PACE, the  victory "caviar diplomacy" and  authoritarianism  over democracy," the appeal says.

This has increased pressure of the authorities on the democratic camp, civil society, has increased the number of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, amounting  140 people. President Ilham Aliyev justifies  his  repressive behavior  by the position of  PACE indicating the  resolution of  this structure on the absence of political prisoners in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan's fulfillment of its obligations is still on paper. The authors  of the appeal remind that short-term mission of the PACE observers  positively assessed the last presidential elections in Azerbaijan.

Referring to the judicial system in Azerbaijan , authors of the appeal note that it has completely lost its credibility.  Political activists, bloggers , journalists are arrested in the country on concocted charges (drugs, illegal weapons, riots, etc.) and subjected them to physical and mental torture. This does not comply with the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights.

Authors  of the appeal  remind about the famous scandal "Gulargeyt" about bargaining for the parliamentary mandate in which  the  MP is involved, and among involved in this transaction  are named of  senior government officials. This scandal has undermined confidence in parliament as the legitimate authority.  

Situation in Azerbaijan is worse than before the accession to the Council of Europe, reads the statement. Situation  with the independent media has deteriorated  sharply, there is  no independent television.  Not only  activists, but  also their families  are persecuted.

Democrats and civil society of Azerbaijan expect from PACE more principled position on the question of the structure   on  violating human rights and freedoms in Azerbaijan. -05D04-