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“Azerbaijan is an important member of the Council of Europe and we connect with Azerbaijani Government constantly”, Thomas Hammerberg, the Council of Europe Commissioner on Human Rights said at press conference in Strasbourg, APA Europe bureau reports. He estimated presidential elections to be held in Azerbaijan as important event and noted that he would visit Azerbaijan after elections.
“OSCE Warsaw bureau and PACE will be engaged in monitoring of Human Rights during elections and pre-election. I made a report on Azerbaijan last year and there reflected main issues and recommendations. I wanted to touch upon several main facts. It is linked with problems in Justice System. My article on corruption in Justice and Court System will be posted in website of the Council of Europe next week and several opinions on Azerbaijan will be reflected in it.
Second serious issue is linked with fate of lifers in Gobustan jail. We are anxious about freedom of speech as well”, he said. Hammerberg noted that he was concerned about imprisoned journalist Eynulla Fatullayev and regretted for him. The Council of Europe is anxious about decision of court on Novruzali Mammadov. “We are concerned about several factors on Azerbaijan and I try to direct my work constructively. We should insist on implementation of recommendations pursued by us. Our recommendations on release of political prisoners have not been taken into account and we are anxious about it”, he said.
He added that he visited two settlements of refugees and familiarized with their conditions. “Their life conditions have been improved. The IDPs and refugees have right to return to their lands and this right has not been ensured yet. The conflict should be solved to ensure the right and the Council of Europe played a few roles in the settlement of the conflict. OSCE MG is engaged in the settlement of the conflict and we cannot influence on the negotiations process. If Nagorno Karabakh conflict is not solved, their rights will not be ensured”, he said.
Hammerberg touched upon Human Rights in Armenia and mentioned that PACE adopted special decision on the country in April. He added that Armenia was given time to restore situation on Human Rights, but nothing was changed. Thomas Hammerberg related holding of extraordinary discussions on Armenia with not implementing recommendations.
