MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on current situation in Azerbaijan with freedom of speech and violation of human rights
10.5.2011
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure
Charles Tannock, Geoffrey Van Orden, Ryszard Antoni Legutko, Ryszard Czarnecki, Marek Henryk Migalski on behalf of the ECR Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0330/2011
B7‑0330/2011
European Parliament resolution on current situation in Azerbaijan with freedom of speech and violation of human rights
The European Parliament,
- having regard to its previous resolutions on the political situation in Azerbaijan,
- having regard to the Commission communication of 3 December 2008 concerning the Eastern Partnership (COM(2008)0823),
- having regard to the conclusions of the EU-Azerbaijan Cooperation Council eleventh meeting in Brussels on 7 December 2010,
- having regard to the recommendations of the 10th EU – Azerbaijan PCC in Brussels of 3 December 2009,
- having regard to recent statements by HR/VP Catherine Ashton on Azerbaijan of 8 and 19 November 2010,
- having regard to the Constituent Act of the EuroNest Parliamentary Assembly,
- having regard to the statements of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media on the attack on journalists of 10 March and 28 March 2011,
- having regard to Rule 122(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas Azerbaijan is actively participating in the European Neighbourhood Policy, Eastern Partnership and is a full member of the Euronest Assembly and is committed to respect democracy, human rights and the rule of law as a member of the Council of Europe,
B. whereas the November 2010 elections did not meet all the international standards and did not represent significant progress in the process of the country’s democratic development,
C. whereas the European Court of Human Rights ordered the Republic of Azerbaijan to release the jailed journalist Eynulla Fatullayev from prison and to pay him EUR 25 000 in moral damages,
D. whereas EU and Azerbaijan are currently negotiating an Association Agreement, which will significantly deepen Azerbaijan’s political association and economic integration with the EU,
E. whereas the unresolved conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) remains the major impediment to development of the whole region and contributes to its continous instability,
1. Is concerned about the situation of the treatment of the political opposition and peaceful protesters participating in the rally and not belonging to any parties by the Azeri authorities, including their arrest, acts of violence including alleged torture and other acts hindering the freedom of assembly and freedom of speech;
2. Is concerned over reports of the closure of the Human Rights House Azerbaijan, following an order of the Ministry of Justice issued on 10 March 2011;
3. Is concerned over the arrests of opposition activists and journalists, including Elkin Aliyev, reporter for Azerbaijan News Network, under seemingly fabricated charged calls for the immediate release of participants in the rally held on 2 April 2011, who were already recognized by the Amnesty International as “prisoners of conscience” - Arif Hajili, Tural Abbasly, Mecid Memmedli, Shahin Hesenli, Ahad Mammedli and others;
4. Condemns the alleged abduction and beating on 26 March 2011 of journalists of the opposition newspaper “Azadlig” Mr.Seymur Khaziyev and Mr.Ramin Deko;
5. Calls on the Azeri authorities not to hinder opposition rallies acting in accordance with the presidential decree of 12 May 2005, which orders the local administration to authorise them;
6. Urges the authorities to release immediately all protestors and activists who remain in custody and to assure the highest standards in any eventual judicial proceedings resulting from these events;
7. Welcomes recent steps taken by the authorities to improve the functioning of the judiciary; points out, however, that further reforms are necessary, including the creation of a system for evaluating the judges and clearer division between the judiciary and executive maintaining their independence;
8. Welcomes the Azerbaijani contribution to the Eastern Partnership and the participation of the delegation from the Milli Majlis at the inaugural session of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly;
9. Welcomes actions taken by the authorities to combat corruption in the country; calls, however, for better implementation of the anti-corruption laws;
10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the High Representative, Vice-President of the Commission, the Council, the Commission and the President, the Government and the Parliament of Azerbaijan.