PACE will increase attention to the protection of human rights defenders

The situation of human rights defenders in Europe is far from satisfactory. In particular, in some countries of the Council of Europe human rights defenders are victims of serious crimes ranging from murder to kidnapping and torture. This idea is emphasized in the PACE resolution "Situation of Human Rights Defenders in Europe" on the basis of a report prepared by the Estonian MP Mrs Mailis Reps.

    "In some Member States, Council of Europe human rights defenders are often the victims of tyranny, judicial, administrative or tax harassment and smear campaigns initiated by state or non-state actors. Human rights defenders are intimidated and subjected to threats," said Reps.

    She pointed to the spread of the practice of charging human rights defenders with "hostility," "treason," "espionage," "extremism," "aiding foreign countries for the sake of rewards", etc.

    Among the countries, where human rights defenders are under pressure, along with Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Armenia, Georgia and others, she also mentioned Azerbaijan.

    In particular, she pointed to the prosecution of the Kur staff civil society coordinator Oktay Gyulalyev, who defended the rights of people affected by floods.

    In addition, she pointed to the obstacles to the activities of national and international NGOs and, in particular, the refusal of the public registration of several bodies. 

    Thus, in March 2011 the activities of the local offices of the Norwegian Foundation "House of Human Rights" were stopped under the pretext of re-registration in accordance with the requirements of new legislation.

    However, the Ministry of Justice of the country refuses to sign the required legislative conditions for registration of foreign NGOs and the conclusion of agreements with them.

    The report stresses that the Venice Commission has recognized the new law on NGOs of Azerbaijan "is not consistent with international standards of democracy and human rights."

    In particular, she pointed to the vagueness of the concepts of "national and moral values" and "not participating in political or religious propaganda", to be followed by foreign NGOs. This ambiguity can be used to restrict the activities of NGOs.

    The report also pointed specifically to the demolition of the office of the Institute for Peace and Democracy without a court decision on August 11, 2011.

    The report expressed concern about violations of the freedom of speech and assembly and selective prosecution of journalists and youth activists in Azerbaijan. 

    The head of Azerbaijan's delegation Seyidov, speaking at the European Democratic Group faction, praised the report.

    In his view, "the author accurately points out that the problems of human rights defenders and NGOs do not only apply to one country, but are common to all countries of Europe."

    Therefore, according to Seyidov, "the Council of Europe must assert human rights in all countries and not use this for political purposes."

    However, another Azerbaijani MP Rafael Huseynov called the report controversial.

    In particular, he does not agree that the Azerbaijani authorities do not support human rights defenders.

    According to Huseynov, the government cooperates with human rights defenders, and as for the Norwegian Foundation Human Rights House, then, the organization must, in accordance with the law, sign an agreement with the Ministry of Justice.

    "It is said that an NGO building was destroyed by a bulldozer. But this was associated with the construction of a modern complex there. The old buildings were destroyed and the residents received compensation. Someone, perhaps, was not satisfied with the sum and someone just wanted to cash in, but the propagation of this is totally unacceptable and improper," Huseynov said.

     During the discussions the most criticism was addressed to the situation in Russia, particularly in the North Caucasus, where in recent years a number of murders of civil society activists and journalists have been committed.

    Late in the evening after a long debate the resolution was adopted by majority vote.

    The resolution calls on the governments of the Council of Europe to ensure the rights of persons who are engaged in the protection of others, and not to interpret the law to justify the pressure on the human right defenders.

    The resolution also recognizes the need for the institution of a special rapporteur of PACE on human rights defenders. -0 -