PACE criticizes human rights situation in Azerbaijan

On October 11, the autumn session of the PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe), held in Strasbourg, considered two reports on Azerbaijan; and based thereon, respective resolutions were adopted.

While welcoming in the resolutions the release in 2016 and 2017 of some "political prisoners" and "prisoners of conscience", the PACE has expressed its concern over reports on harassments of rights defenders, political activists, journalists and bloggers, as well as "the arbitrary use of criminal legislation to restrict the freedom of expression."

The PACE has urged the Azerbaijani authorities to promptly ensure the full implementation of the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), strengthen parliamentary control over the executive power, and continue reforming the judicial system and the prosecutor's office in order to ensure the complete independence of the judiciary.

It is also proposed to put an end to systemic repressions against rights defenders, mass media and critics of the government, including politically motivated prosecutions, and create conditions, favourable for the work of NGO activists and mass media.

The reports have caused sharp criticism of the Azerbaijani delegation to the PACE. Samed Seyidov, its head, has treated the resolutions as biased and failing to reflect the reality.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.