Projekt rezolucji - B6-0576/2005Projekt rezolucji
B6-0576/2005
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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 Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck, Janusz Onyskiewicz and Sarah Ludford
on behalf of the ALDE Group
on Azerbaijan

Procedura : 2005/2629(RSP)
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Dokument w ramach procedury :  
B6-0576/2005
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B6-0576/2005
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B6‑0576/2005

European Parliament resolution on Azerbaijan

The European Parliament,

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

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

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

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

–  having regard to the Council statement on Azerbaijan of 6 October 2005,

– having regard to the first report by the OSCE Election Observation Mission of September 2005, which identified a number of problems, in particular restrictions on freedom of assembly and the lack of implementation of the long-standing recommendations of the Venice Commission for improving the legislative framework for elections and introducing key safeguards to enhance public confidence,

– having regard to the interim report of the OSCE Election Observation Mission of 17 October 2005, which expresses serious concern over the methods used by the authorities so far during the election campaign,

– having regard to the refusal of the Azeri authorities on 17 October 2005 to let opposition leader Rasul Guliyev re-enter Azerbaijan,

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

A.  whereas the parliamentary elections of 6 November 2005 represent a possibility for Azerbaijan to show its commitment to democracy and human rights and will be a test of the maturity of the Azeri democratic institutions, especially in the light of the country's stated wish for further cooperation and integration with the EU,

B.  whereas it was at the request of Parliament that the Council extended the European Neighbourhood Policy to the three countries of the southern Caucasus, providing Azerbaijan with new instruments for relations with the EU and a framework in which to integrate into EU policies beyond the present Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, on the basis of common values such as democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights and civil liberties,

C.  whereas the recent reforms have failed to secure equal and balanced access during the campaign, although improvements have been registered,

1. Deplores the Baku authorities' refusal to authorise opposition rallies in the centre of the capital, and condemns the disproportionate and violent reaction of the police to the demonstrators in September; notes last week's dismissal of two cabinet ministers accused of sympathising with and supporting the opposition and plotting a coup; regrets that normal political standards are not being upheld, and calls for restraint on all sides;

2. Calls for the immediate release of all those still detained and for a full investigation into the events, including the responsibility of the police involved; condemns the detention and ill-treatment of the members of the youth organisation 'New Idea', and expects an independent investigation into the events;

3. Underlines that full respect for freedom of assembly is a cornerstone of a democratic society; urges the Azeri authorities, therefore, to take urgent and decisive action to ensure that the forthcoming parliamentary elections fully meet recognised international standards;

4. Stresses that the long-standing recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission should be adopted and implemented;

5. Urges the authorities to pay special attention to safety and freedom with regard to journalists and the media, and to take immediate steps to protect journalists following the wave of violence against media representatives;

6. Deplores the Azeri authorities' refusal of entry to Rasul Guliyev; welcomes his recent release from detention in Ukraine, and hopes for his swift return to Azerbaijan;

7. Reiterates its call on Azerbaijan to take immediate action to ensure that the last weeks of the election campaign are free of violence and of breaches of democratic principles and standards;

8. Stresses that the overall assessment of the democratic credentials of the elections will influence the decision to start working on a new 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 the still fragile civil society;

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