MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

24.10.2005

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Commission
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Marie Anne Isler Béguin and Cem Özdemir
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
on Azerbaijan

B6‑0560/2005

European Parliament resolution on Azerbaijan

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus and, in particular, its resolution of 9 June 2005,

– having regard to its resolution on 'Wider Europe - Neighbourhood: A New Framework for Relations with our Eastern and Southern Neighbours' (COM(2003) 104 - 2003/2018(INI)) of 20 November 2003,

– having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation agreement with Azerbaijan which entered into force on 1 July 1999,

– having regard to the Country Report on Azerbaijan of 2 March 2005,

– having regard to the EU Statement on Azerbaijan of 6 October 2005,

– having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the parliamentary elections of 6 November 2005 represent a delicate and fundamental test for the maturity of the Azerbaijani democratic institutions, with a view also to getting closer to and sharing EU values,

B. whereas the Council's decision on Parliament's request to extend the European Neighbourhood Policy to the three countries of the South Caucasus provides Azerbaijan with new instruments for relations with the EU and the framework in which to integrate into EU policies beyond the present Partnership and Cooperation Agreement,

C. stressing that the European Neighbourhood Policy is aimed at extending peace, security and stability to the EU's neighbouring countries with the perspective of strengthened cooperation and a sharing of the values of democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights and civil liberties,

D. deeply concerned about the events which took place on 25 September and 1 and 9 October 2005 when the police violently prevented thousands of opposition activists belonging to the Azadlig bloc from holding a rally in Baku in defiance of a government ban, beat up a number of journalists and arrested dozens of protesters,

E. whereas on 17 October 2005 Rasul Guliyev, a leading opposition figure who has registered as an election candidate, was temporarily detained in Ukraine on his way back to Baku, despite the fact that he is wanted in Azerbaijan on charges of embezzlement,

F. worried about the situation around the opposition media and cases of abuse and attacks on journalists as well as threats and acts of defamation, pressure and harassment against human rights defenders,

G. whereas the recent reforms in the media system in the run-up to the elections have improved the situation, but whereas much has still to be done in order to grant all parties balanced and fair access,

H. drawing attention to the OSCE conclusions that the municipal elections of December 2004 'fell short of a number of international standards for democratic elections', although the arrangements on election day were generally assessed as acceptable and some technical improvements were reported compared to the previous elections,

I. whereas, with a view to the parliamentary elections in November 2005, President Ilham Aliyev issued an Executive Order on 12 May 2005 on 'Improvement of Election Practices in the Republic of Azerbaijan',

J. having regard to the first report by the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission of 30 September 2005, which points to an improvement in the overall campaign environment, even though problems remain, in particular regarding restrictions on freedom of assembly and the failure to implement the long-standing recommendations of the Venice Commission that the legislative framework for elections should be improved and key safeguards introduced to enhance public confidence,

K. having regard to the overall difficult social and political situation linked to the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which resulted in the occupation of parts of Azerbaijani territory by Armenia and a huge burden of refugees and IDPs on the country,

1. Deplores the persistent refusal of the Baku authorities to authorise rallies of the opposition forces in all the places requested in the centre of the city and condemns the disproportionate reaction of the police to the demonstrators;

2. Calls for the immediate release of all the people still detained and for a full investigation into the events, including the responsibility of the police officers involved;

3. Calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to grant and respect freedom of assembly and to ensure that the forthcoming parliamentary elections will fully meet recognised international standards and the long-standing recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission; stresses that the current electoral code could provide a basis for the conduct of democratic elections if implemented correctly;

4. Welcomes the release from custody by the Ukraine judicial authorities of Rasul Guliyev following a ruling that the case for extradition made by the Azerbaijani authorities was not strong enough; emphasises the contradictory attitude of the Baku government that allows a candidate to register and at the same time prevents him from taking part in the elections;

5. Urges the Azerbaijani authorities to take immediate steps to protect journalists following a wave of violence against the media in the run-up to the elections;

6. Deplores the arrest of the leaders of the youth movement 'Yeni Fikir (New Idea)', who have been falsely accused of preparing a coup d’état, and calls for their immediate release;

7. Regrets the fact that the seven opposition leaders who had been convicted of taking part in the mass protest in the direct aftermath of the 2003 presidential elections and recently pardoned by Azerbaijani authorities have not been given the right to take part in the elections;

8. Reiterates its call to Azerbaijan to secure the independence of the judiciary and to guarantee the inherent and inalienable fundamental rights of persons under detention; calls on the authorities to take steps to remedy the shortcomings observed in trials and urges the government, in this regard, to implement the Council of Europe recommendations on the treatment of political prisoners, following widespread and credible allegations of torture and ill-treatment;

9. Urges the opening of negotiations on the Action Plan for Azerbaijan, which should be focused on the development of a genuine democracy and respect for human rights and the rule of law; calls on the Commission, in this regard, to coordinate its action with the Council of Europe and to make every effort to support and develop Azerbaijan's fragile civil society;

10. Welcomes the Commission’s recommendations concerning a significant intensification of relations with Azerbaijan and urges the Commission to continue to provide the necessary assistance to the Azerbaijani Government so that it implements legal and institutional reforms in the field of human rights and the rule of law;

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the OSCE and the President, Government and Parliament of Azerbaijan.