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CE ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN AZERBAIJAN - SR OF CE SEC-GEN
Author: A.Ismayilova
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Sept 10 2006
Trend's exclusive interview with special representative of the Council
of Europe Secretary General to Azerbaijan, Mr Denis Bribosia.
Question: Will the Council of Europe openly observe the municipal
elections to be held in Azerbaijan on 6 October 2006?
Answer: The Council of Europe attaches great importance to these
elections with the hope that the municipal elections will run smoothly
and in line with the necessary standards. The CE will be in observance
during the polls. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities will
dispatch a monitoring delegation which will stay in Azerbaijan from
3 - 8 October.
As a rule, such processes require considerable funds and therefore,
the composition of the delegation will not be large. Nevertheless,
work carried out during the elections will be of a high standard. The
monitoring will be held in the capital and regions of Azerbaijan.
Question: How do you estimate the resolution of part of the opposition
on boycotting the elections?
Answer: When the opposition boycotts the elections, the democracy
system fails. I'm not in a position to blame either side. Perhaps, the
opposition has reason to boycott the elections. I cannot condemn it.
As to demand from the opposition to make changes to the Elections Code,
this is a requirement that the CE would like to witness. The CE has
been informed that the changes will definitely occur and we hope this
to be the case. In this respect the CE and the Venice Commission have
agreed to work towards this goal.
Question: How do you estimate the fulfillment of the CE obligations
by Azerbaijan?
Answer: This is a large-scale issue. Several bodies of the CE are
observing the issue. Their reports are periodically submitted to the
public for consideration. Summing up the reports, I can say that there
are serious wishes by the parliamentarians as well as the Committee
of Ministers for changes to be carried out. They want to be confident
that this is not just a short burst of democracy, but a serious and
stable progression.
Question: What are your opinions on the state of media in Azerbaijan
Answer: We believe that freedom of expression is one of the major
attributes of democracy. Of course, we would not like to hear of
reports of journalists being persecuted. The journalists should fulfill
their duties and avoid becoming involved with the authorities. I call
on all to realize that the European Court also encourages freedom of
expression. People should express their opinions and be able to ask
questions. At the same time they should always take into consideration
that the there are boundaries which should not be overstepped. The
European Court on Human Rights has outlined these boundaries.
Undoubtedly, the journalists should not damage the honor and dignity
of people in the press. Journalists are not allowed to act in this
manner. Here I'd like to add that the use of criminal policy in these
issues is not allowed. The possibility of persecution and arrest
of journalists makes them extremely careful which in turn affects
their activities.
Question: Do the senior ranking officials of the CE plan to visit
Azerbaijan?
Answer: The Chairman of the PACE Ad Hoc Committee on Nagorno-Karabakh,
Lord Rassel Johnston will visit Azerbaijan, exactly when has not been
confirmed. The Parliamentary Assembly assures us that the Committee
led by Johnson is capable of influencing the process of talks on
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and therefore, the visit is imminent.
Next year PACE plans to conduct a conference with the participation
of parliamentary delegates from Azerbaijan and Armenia to discuss the
Nagorno-Karabakh problem. At present we are unable to advise you on
the venue of the conference, which is to be organized by the Ad Hoc
Committee. Rassel will visit Azerbaijan prior to this forum.
Question: Does the CE plan to participate in the processes linked
with the fire in the occupied territory of Azerbaijan?
Answer: It would be more expedient to simplify many issues
father complicate. At present there is no necessity to include
all organizations in the issue. It might be received with some
resistance. Therefore, the OSCE is responsible for processing the
issue. There is no reason for the CE to interfere with the process.
However, the Ad Hoc Committee on Nagorno-Karabakh will hold a meeting
during the PACE session in October, but as far as I know, some MPs
are going to put forward the issue.
Question: What big events does the CE plan to conduct in the near
future?
Answer: A number of events are on schedule. School of political
sciences will be set up soon. Its opening is scheduled for 6 November
2006. It is an important tool which will help to teach young and
promising leaders in Azerbaijan about democracy and politics. Similar
schools function this way in many countries. Now we are working on the
establishment of the Association of Municipal Bodies in Azerbaijan. By
the end of the year crucial meetings are planned in connection with
the education of judges in the penitentiary system.
Author: A.Ismayilova
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Sept 10 2006
Trend's exclusive interview with special representative of the Council
of Europe Secretary General to Azerbaijan, Mr Denis Bribosia.
Question: Will the Council of Europe openly observe the municipal
elections to be held in Azerbaijan on 6 October 2006?
Answer: The Council of Europe attaches great importance to these
elections with the hope that the municipal elections will run smoothly
and in line with the necessary standards. The CE will be in observance
during the polls. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities will
dispatch a monitoring delegation which will stay in Azerbaijan from
3 - 8 October.
As a rule, such processes require considerable funds and therefore,
the composition of the delegation will not be large. Nevertheless,
work carried out during the elections will be of a high standard. The
monitoring will be held in the capital and regions of Azerbaijan.
Question: How do you estimate the resolution of part of the opposition
on boycotting the elections?
Answer: When the opposition boycotts the elections, the democracy
system fails. I'm not in a position to blame either side. Perhaps, the
opposition has reason to boycott the elections. I cannot condemn it.
As to demand from the opposition to make changes to the Elections Code,
this is a requirement that the CE would like to witness. The CE has
been informed that the changes will definitely occur and we hope this
to be the case. In this respect the CE and the Venice Commission have
agreed to work towards this goal.
Question: How do you estimate the fulfillment of the CE obligations
by Azerbaijan?
Answer: This is a large-scale issue. Several bodies of the CE are
observing the issue. Their reports are periodically submitted to the
public for consideration. Summing up the reports, I can say that there
are serious wishes by the parliamentarians as well as the Committee
of Ministers for changes to be carried out. They want to be confident
that this is not just a short burst of democracy, but a serious and
stable progression.
Question: What are your opinions on the state of media in Azerbaijan
Answer: We believe that freedom of expression is one of the major
attributes of democracy. Of course, we would not like to hear of
reports of journalists being persecuted. The journalists should fulfill
their duties and avoid becoming involved with the authorities. I call
on all to realize that the European Court also encourages freedom of
expression. People should express their opinions and be able to ask
questions. At the same time they should always take into consideration
that the there are boundaries which should not be overstepped. The
European Court on Human Rights has outlined these boundaries.
Undoubtedly, the journalists should not damage the honor and dignity
of people in the press. Journalists are not allowed to act in this
manner. Here I'd like to add that the use of criminal policy in these
issues is not allowed. The possibility of persecution and arrest
of journalists makes them extremely careful which in turn affects
their activities.
Question: Do the senior ranking officials of the CE plan to visit
Azerbaijan?
Answer: The Chairman of the PACE Ad Hoc Committee on Nagorno-Karabakh,
Lord Rassel Johnston will visit Azerbaijan, exactly when has not been
confirmed. The Parliamentary Assembly assures us that the Committee
led by Johnson is capable of influencing the process of talks on
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and therefore, the visit is imminent.
Next year PACE plans to conduct a conference with the participation
of parliamentary delegates from Azerbaijan and Armenia to discuss the
Nagorno-Karabakh problem. At present we are unable to advise you on
the venue of the conference, which is to be organized by the Ad Hoc
Committee. Rassel will visit Azerbaijan prior to this forum.
Question: Does the CE plan to participate in the processes linked
with the fire in the occupied territory of Azerbaijan?
Answer: It would be more expedient to simplify many issues
father complicate. At present there is no necessity to include
all organizations in the issue. It might be received with some
resistance. Therefore, the OSCE is responsible for processing the
issue. There is no reason for the CE to interfere with the process.
However, the Ad Hoc Committee on Nagorno-Karabakh will hold a meeting
during the PACE session in October, but as far as I know, some MPs
are going to put forward the issue.
Question: What big events does the CE plan to conduct in the near
future?
Answer: A number of events are on schedule. School of political
sciences will be set up soon. Its opening is scheduled for 6 November
2006. It is an important tool which will help to teach young and
promising leaders in Azerbaijan about democracy and politics. Similar
schools function this way in many countries. Now we are working on the
establishment of the Association of Municipal Bodies in Azerbaijan. By
the end of the year crucial meetings are planned in connection with
the education of judges in the penitentiary system.