PACE President calls for release of journalists, imprisoned in Azerbaijan

Jean-Claude Mignon, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), expressed his concern over the situation with human rights in Azerbaijan and urged the authorities to release arrested journalists.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 13, representatives of civil society in Azerbaijan and oppositionists claimed that Pedro Agramunt Font de Mora (Spain) and Joseph Debono Gresh (Malta), PACE Rapporteurs, refuse to admit facts of violations of human rights in the country. On the eve of the PACE summer session, about 40 members of the public and the "Civil Movement for Democracy 'Public Chamber" sent an appeal to the Assembly, asking to replace the Rapporteurs by "objective deputies of the PACE."

Dunja Mijatovic, OSCE Special Representative on Freedom of the Media, has also expressed her concern over the recent facts of persecution of journalists and restriction on freedom of media in Azerbaijan.

On June 25, at the press conference, held in Strasbourg on the occasion of opening the PACE summer session, Jean-Claude Mignon emphasized that the situation with human rights in Azerbaijan gave rise to concern. This was reported by "Caucasian Knot" correspondent from Strasbourg.

Jean-Claude Mignon was asked about whether he had received appeal of the Azerbaijani opposition, asking to revoke the Rapporteurs of the PACE Monitoring Committee on Azerbaijan.

"I have not yet received such an appeal; however, I am aware about the situation in the country. Similar situation in any member country of the Organization gives rise to concern and will be considered. First of all, I speak of unsatisfactory situation with human rights," Jean-Claude Mignon stated.

The President of the Assembly has added that, as far as the request to revoke the Rapporteurs is concerned, then the decision cannot be made by him personally, the decision represents a prerogative of the Bureau of the PACE Monitoring Committee.

Jean-Claude Mignon has also called on the Azerbaijani authorities to release seven journalists, imprisoned in Azerbaijan.

According to him, the PACE will make any efforts for their release and for ensuring that "journalists can work freely and comfortably."

"It is absolutely unacceptable that in a member country of the Council of Europe, journalists are kept in prisons and even subjected to torture and persecution. We discuss all those issues, and they remain at the centre of our attention," Jean-Claude Mignon has emphasized.

When asked about what Strasbourg intends to undertake to enable Christopher Strasser, Rapporteur on political prisoners, to come to Azerbaijan, Jean-Claude Mignon has stated that on June 26, Christopher Strasser is to hold the press conference to answer detailed questions about his mission. Jean-Claude Mignon has emphasized that, in their turn, the PACE leaders will give him all possible support for successful implementation of the tasks, assigned to him.