PACE leader urges Azerbaijani authorities to follow country's obligations to CE

Azerbaijan should reform its electoral law, so that the opposition is better represented in the Parliament, while the latter should have more control over the government – such structure being an inherent element of democracy, said Anne Brasseur, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). She also calls on Azerbaijan to simplify the NGO registration mechanism, respect for freedom of expression, reform the judicial system in order to eliminate any possibility of politically motivated arrests.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Anne Brasseur's visit took place on September 21-25 with the aim to discuss the CE-Azerbaijan further cooperation.

According to Ms President, the main topic of her meetings with MPs was the Karabakh conflict. She noted that a dialogue is the way to settle it, and that the CE supports the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group.

Anne Brasseur expressed her concern about the "latest arrests" of civil society activists. In her opinion, they dictate the need for reform the judiciary in order to avoid politically motivated arrests.

She also highlighted problems in the activities of NGOs and the complex registration procedure. The country should set up normal conditions for civil society and opportunities for the people to freely express their alternative viewpoints.