Although it describes the electoral process observed around the presidential election day in Azerbaijan (9 October 2013) as “free, fair and transparent”, PACE considers that fundamental freedoms remain “a serious concern” in the country. The report by Robert Walter (United Kingdom, EDG), approved today by the PACE Standing Committee in Vienna, stresses that the authorities must take steps to ensure freedom of expression and assembly are fully observed as part of the democratisation process.
PACE also calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to act on the Venice Commission’s recommendations concerning electoral legislation and encourages the development of a “strong and credible opposition” if the population is to be given a real choice in future elections. -02D-
Politics
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The U.S. will prohibit the issuing of visas for nearly a dozen more individuals responsible for undermining democracy in Georgia, bringing the total number to over 100, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.
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The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has expressed condolences to the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, following the tragic incident in the city of Magdeburg. "We are deeply shocked by the news of the deaths and injuries resulting from the tragic incident that took place at the Christmas market in Magdeburg," the message reads.
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By the order of the head of state, Vusal Aslanov has been appointed Chairman of the Baku Metro CJSC.
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Ilhamiz Guliyev, an activist convicted on drug-related charges, has complained about the poor conditions at the Penitentiary Complex in Umbaki, his relatives reported to the Turan news agency.
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