The organization of Azerbaijani political refugees in Europe (AND) ("Democracy for Azerbaijan") has issued a statement in connection with the September 26 referendum on constitutional amendments, calling it "not free and not fair."
The statement expressed regret that the government of Azerbaijan, as a member of the Council of Europe and the OSCE, failed to conduct preliminary consultations with the Venice Commission and the OSCE on the draft Referendum Act.
AND welcomes the conclusion of the Venice Commission that the amendment could seriously upset the balance of power by giving the president "unprecedented" powers in the Constitution.
AND is deeply concerned that the government of Azerbaijan, as in the past used its well-known method of "caviar diplomacy" by inviting a group of members of the Assembly to monitor the vote, without a mandate of the Assembly and use personal opinion of the members of the delegation, as the Council of Europe and PACE position. Such visits and statements cast a shadow on the reputation of the PACE.
AND condemned the falsification of the referendum, repeatedly overstating the turnout, "Carousel", massive ballot stuffing, and believes that the referendum was not free and fair.
"Based on hundreds of proven facts, including video footages vote rigging, AND declares that the referendum did not take place," reads the statement. On behalf of all the democratic forces AND appealed to all Governments and international organizations not to recognize the rigged results of the referendum and express their principled position.
* AND was established on 11 September in Strasbourg with the participation of political emigrants from Azerbaijan. The meeting was attended by the head of the National Council of Democratic Forces Jamil Hasanli.-06D--
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