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 Eva-Britt Svensson and Vittorio Agnoletto
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
on the situation in Azerbaijan

B6‑0577/2005

European Parliament resolution on the situation in 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 South Caucasus, in particular its resolution of 9 June 2005,

– having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreements between the EU and the Central Asian republics,

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

– having regard to the EC Strategy Paper for Central Asia 2002-2006,

– 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 30 September 2005,

– having regard to the interim report of the OSCE Election Observation Mission of 17 October 2005,

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

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

A. whereas the parliamentary elections on 6 November 2005 represent an opportunity for Azerbaijan to demonstrate its commitment to democracy and human rights,

B. whereas respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law is a fundamental element of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreements with the Central Asian Republics,

C. whereas these values are also fundamental to the OSCE, of which the Central Asian republics are members,

D. whereas the OSCE Election Observation Mission of September 2005 identified a number of problems, in particular restrictions on freedom of assembly and the non-implementation of the long-standing recommendations of the Venice Commission to improve the legislative framework for elections and introduce key safeguards to enhance public confidence,

E. whereas the interim report of the OSCE Election Observation Mission of 17 October expressed serious concern over the methods used by the authorities so far during the election campaign;

F. whereas recent reforms by the Azeri Government as well as the Presidential Decree of 11 May 2005 on improving election practices with regard to holding free and fair elections have failed to secure equal and balanced access during the campaign; whereas, however, certain improvements have been observed,

G. whereas the Baku authorities have refused to authorise opposition rallies in the centre of the capital; whereas the police have physically assaulted and detained members of the opposition coalition that has been holding electoral rallies since September,

H. concerned about the continual increase in Azerbaijan's military spending and the continual strengthening of its military power; concerned that, as part of the recent reshuffle of posts within certain key ministries, those responsible for organising the crackdown during the 2003 presidential election were promoted,

I. concerned about the widespread poverty, deteriorating social conditions, the dependent national economy, the weakness and divisions of the opposition and the increasingly repressive leadership,

1. Strongly condemns Azerbaijan's consistent violations of human rights, including the repression of political opponents, NGOs and civil society organisations, control of the judiciary and the muzzling of independent media;

2. Calls on the Government of Azerbaijan to guarantee democracy and respect for human and social rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards;

3. Takes note of the parliamentary elections to be held in Azerbaijan on 6 November 2005; stresses, however, the need for these to be democratic, free, fair and independent, without outside interference, especially from those with special interests in the country;

4. Deplores the refusal of the Baku authorities to authorise opposition rallies in the centre of the capital;

5. Condemns the disproportionate and violent reaction of the police to demonstrators and opposition electoral rallies since September as well as the arrest and detention of protesters and members of the opposition;

6. Calls for the immediate release of all the people arrested during demonstrations and still detained and for a full, independent investigation into the events, including the responsibility of the police;

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

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

9. 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; stresses that the long-standing recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission should be accepted and implemented;

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

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