MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on freedom of expression in Azerbaijan
15.12.2009
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure
Charles Tannock, Ryszard Antoni Legutko, Tomasz Piotr Poręba, Konrad Szymański, Michał Tomasz Kamiński, Adam Bielan, Syed Kamall, Ryszard Czarnecki on behalf of the ECR Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0266/2009
B7‑0270/2009
European Parliament resolution on freedom of expression in Azerbaijan
The European Parliament,
- having regard to the obligations of Azerbaijan to the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the ENP Action Plan, and more recently the Joint declaration on the Prague Eastern Partnership Summit,
- having regard to its previous resolutions on Azerbaijan,
- having regard to its previous resolutions on the South Caucasus,
- having regard to Rule 122 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas freedom of speech is one of the fundamental parts of the development of European democracies;
B. whereas the Commission and Council have expressed their concerns on several occasions recently at the deterioration in the situation regarding human rights and fundamental freedoms in Azerbaijan,
C. whereas the European Neighbourhood Policy aims to establish a privileged partnership with Azerbaijan on the basis of common values, including respect of human rights,
D. whereas two bloggers, Adnan Hadjizade and Emin Milli were arrested in July 2009,
1. Expresses its concerns about the detention of the two young bloggers; encourages Azerbaijan to look into this matter and to take the necessary measures to ensure that the next appropriate legal steps are in full compliance with Azerbaijan's international commitments;
2. Demands that Azerbaijan respects its international commitments on civil and political rights, especially those deriving from its accession to the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the ENP Action Plan;
3. Calls Member States, Commission and Council to continue to monitor and take every opportunity to raise concerns relating to this case and other alleged human rights violation cases in Azerbaijan;
4. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, to the Commission, to the parliaments and governments of the Member States, to the government and to the president of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as to the parliamentary assemblies of OSCE and of the Council of Europe.