MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Azerbaijan: the case of Ramil Safarov

11.9.2012 - (2012/2785(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure

Marie-Christine Vergiat on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0428/2012

B7‑0432/2012

European Parliament resolution on Azerbaijan: the case of Ramil Safarov

(2012/2785(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–         having regard to its previous resolutions on Azerbaijan and, in particular, those of 15 December 2009 on freedom of expression in Azerbaijan and of 12 May 2011 on Azerbaijan

–         having regard to the declarations of the EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and of the Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle on 3^rd September 2012 on the release of Ramil Safarov

–         having regard to the statement of the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz on 4^th September 2012

–         having regard to the statement of the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Jean Claude Mignon

–         having regard to Rule 122 of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas after 8 years imprisonment in Hungary the lieutenant Ramil Safarov, sentenced in 2006 by an Hungarian court to life imprisonment on charges of premeditated murder with extreme cruelty on an Armenian officer during attendance of the NATO Partnership for Peace Programme, was transferred on 31.August to Azerbaijan on the legal basis of the Convention on the transfer of sentenced people;

 

B.  whereas in 2006 the Hungarian court excluded the possibility of release after 30 yeas imprisonment as of the severe character of the crime;

C.  whereas after the arrival in Azerbaijan on 31 August 2012 Ramil Safarov a day later the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliev signed a decree pardoning Ramil Safarov and presented him as a national hero, who was promoted from rank of lieutenant to major, rewarded with the salary of his 8 years' imprisonment and an apartment;

D.  whereas according to Hungarian Foreign minister the authorities of Azerbaijan broke the promise to keep the murder in Azerbaijani prison, and protested against the release as not in line with international law;

E.  whereas the European Commission, the European Parliament, the PACE and EU governments and the US President expressed deep concern about this case,

1.  condemns the release and pardon of the murder Ramil Safarov by the Azerbaijani President, which represents a breach of the international Convention, e.g. international law;

2.  demands that the Azerbaijan authorities respect immediately the life imprisonment sentence of the EU member state Hungary, and though respect international law again and put the criminal Ramil Safarov into prison;

3.  asks the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan to avoid any statements or moves that increase the tensions and escalate the situation, especially with regard to the conflict on Nargorny – Karabach;

4.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the President and the Parliament of Azerbaijan, and the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE.