PACE Mission Informed about Problems of NGOs and Political Parties

The pre-election mission of PACE led by the Spanish deputy Jordi Hugla today met with representatives of civil society in Azerbaijan.

As a participant in the meeting, Novella Jafaroglu told Turan, PACE representatives reported that they would monitor the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan.

NGO representatives positively evaluated it.

Civil society activists reported that the elections are held by the majority system, which limits the ability of political parties. For the more active participation of the parties, increasing their opportunities for meetings with voters in the regions it is advisable to restore the proportional system. With the majority system officials have more opportunities to intervene in the electoral process.

In addition, during the meeting they also discussed the human rights situation, as well as the current status of NGOs. It was noted that after the European Parliament's resolution on the situation of human rights, the situation of NGOs in the country has further deteriorated and they are subjected to pressure and unjustified inspections.

The activists asked the guests to raise the issue of the need to mitigate the law on NGOs during their meeting with the President of Azerbaijan.

In addition, it was noted that the release of political prisoners would contribute to detente. -05B-