New fines have been imposed for violating the law on Political Parties

Baku/07/14.23/Turan: The Milli Majlis today adopted amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses, which establish new penalties for violating legislation on political parties. According to the innovations, individuals will be fined from 700 to 1,000 manats, officials - from 1,500 to 2,000 manats, and legal entities - from 6,000 to 8,000 manats for the creation or activity of political parties of foreign states, as well as their divisions and organizations in Azerbaijan.

For making decisions or signing documents by the bodies of a political party whose term of office has expired, a fine of 700 to 1000 manats will be applied against individuals.

For failure to provide information on subsequent changes in the register of members of a political party to the relevant executive authority, officials will be fined in the amount of 1,000 to 1,500 manats, and legal entities - in the amount of 2,000 to 3,000 manats.

Officials will be fined from 800 to 1000 manats for admission to the party of foreigners and stateless persons, and legal entities - from 3000 to 5000 manats for the admission of foreigners and stateless persons to the membership of a political party.

Officials will be fined from 500 to 700 manats, and legal entities - from 1,500 to 2,000 manats for not notifying a state agency about signing an agreement with parties of other countries and joining international organizations.

The head of the Institute of Democratic Initiatives Akif Gurbanov believes that from a formal point of view, the introduction of monetary sanctions for violation of the law is a normal.

At the same time, he critically assessed the legislative prohibition of parties that do not have state registration or failed to re-register due to the strict conditions of the new law.

"In fact, permissive political activity is being introduced into the country. Although political activity comes from freedom of association and expression. Of course, these freedoms are not absolute and can be limited, but they should follow from social expediency. The restrictions should be adequate and proportional," the expert said. He also criticised the creation of a register of party members.

Because in the realities of Azerbaijan, obtaining information about party members by state agencies can lead to pressure on them to abandon political activities, Gurbanov continued.

In general, in his opinion, the Azerbaijani authorities create a permissive environment not only by the law "On Political Parties", but also by the laws "On the media" and "On NGOs".

"That is, a permissive civil society, permissive media, permissive political parties are being created. Thus, a permissive policy is created, where citizens can participate within the framework outlined by the authorities," the expert believes.

The new law on political parties, which came into force on January 11, caused sharp criticism from many opposition political parties. They believe that the new law is aimed at restricting political activity and eliminating opposition parties.

Local independent experts of Azerbaijan believe that the newly adopted law does not meet democratic standards and should be changed. The Venice Commission of the Council of Europe and the OSCE ODIHR also gave a negative expert opinion to this document.---16D---