MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Azerbaijan: the case of Ilgar Mammadov
11.6.2013 - (2013/2668(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure
Marie-Christine Vergiat, Patrick Le Hyaric, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0289/2013
B7‑0296/2013
European Parliament resolution on Azerbaijan: the case of Ilgar Mammadov
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Azerbaijan and, in particular, those of 15 December 2009, of 12 May 2011, of 15 December 2011, of 17 May 2012 and of 12 September 2012 on Azerbaijan,
– having regard to the statement of 9 February 2013 by the spokespersons of the EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and of the Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle on recent events in Azerbaijan,
– having regard to EU statement of 14 February 2013 on the Human Rights situation in Azerbaijan to the OSCE Permanent Council Nr 941,
- having regard to the on-going negotiations between the EU and Azerbaijan on the Association Agreement,
– having regard to Rule 122 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas riots and mass protests in Ismayulli followed a car accident on 23 January that allegedly involved a close relative of the Ismayilli region’s governor, whereas on 24 January several clashes took place between law enforcement and protesters calling for the governor’s resignation, whereas the protesters also expressed frustration with poverty, widespread unemployment and corruption, whereas police used teargas and rubber bullets against the protesters, whereas around 80 demonstrators were arrested in Baku after the protest against authorities that took place on 26 January,
B. whereas the opposition politician Ilgar Mammadov, leader of the Republican Alternative Movement and candidate to Presidential elections, and Tofiq Yaqubli, journalist and deputy head of the Musavat Party, were arrested on 4 February,
C. whereas both opposition leaders have been charged with organising and participating in a “mass disorder” and “violently resisting police” charges which together could carry sentences of up to ten years imprisonment,
D. whereas the European Commission, the PACE and EU governments expressed deep concern about this case,
E. whereas the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) put Ilgar Mammadov’s complaint on his case into a fast track review process, communicating with the Azerbaijani government on the matter on 9 April, whereas ECHR expects the Azerbaijani government’s response by 18 June,
F. whereas Presidential elections are foreseen in Azerbaijan in October 2013,
G. whereas there are reports about unfair court hearings and alleged ill-treatment of some detainees,
H. whereas despite last year’s economic growth due to oil revenues, 50 per cent of population lives under the poverty line, in particular in rural areas, whereas 25 per cent of population has no access to drinking water,
I. whereas problems such as poverty and food insecurity in Azerbaijan, as well as the high rates of corruption (the country occupies the place 139 out of 176 according to the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2012) have not significantly improved since the social and economic decline after independence,
1. Condemns violence and repression of protestors following demonstrations of January 2013, calls the Azerbaijani government to refrain from using disproportionate police force against peaceful protestors,
2. Expresses its concern about the detention of two opposition leaders, calls the Azerbaijani government to ensure that the trials of Ilgar Mammadov and Tofiq Yaqubli are conducted in conformity with human rights standards,
3. Asks the Azerbaijani government to ensure that due detention conditions are guaranteed for those under arrest,
4. Calls for an effective investigation into the allegations of torture and other ill-treatment, so those responsible will be brought to justice,
5. Calls the Azerbaijani government to ensure under any circumstances freedom of speech, assembly and association, and to refrain from any pressure on lawyers defending activists and journalists,
6. Considers that mandatory clauses and benchmarks should be incorporated in the Association Agreement, notably on the protection and promotion of human rights, especially with regard to freedom of the media and the right to freedom of expression, association and assembly;
7. Reiterates that the problems the country is currently facing in terms of poverty and corruption can be solved only with a long-term policy allowing people access to public services, such as heath or education, employment, means of production and natural resources, including drinking water,
8. 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.