12:45, 21 May 2014

Azerbaijan and CoE issue joint action plan for defending human rights and fighting corruption

The police dispersed the supporters of the arrested "Nida" activists. Baku, April 22, 2014. Photo by Aziz Karimov for the "Caucasian Knot"

Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe (CoE) have announced a joint action plan for 2014-2016, aimed to fulfil the country's commitments to this international organization. It provides for measures to strengthen the protection of human rights, the rule of law and the fight against corruption.

The presentation of the plan with participation of Thorbjorn Jagland, Secretary General of the CoE and Fikret Mamedov, Justice Minister of Azerbaijan, was held on May 20 at the country's Ministry of Justice.

The outcomes of the plan will be assessed jointly by the CoE and the Azerbaijan's Govt through the specially set up steering committee.

Emin Guseinov, Director of the Institute of Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS), is positive in his comments on the above joint action plan.

In his turn, Rasul Jafarov, Head of the Society for Legal Aid and Education, believes that the drawback of the plan is the absence of the commitment to address the issue of political prisoners.

However, in his opinion, the action plan has a positive value, since it actualizes the country's need to respect its commitments to the CoE.

Author: Faik Medzhid

Source: CK correspondent