The PACE spring session, CE, plans to discuss the fulfillment of commitments undertaken by Azerbaijan during admittance to Council of Europe. CE continues cooperation with Azerbaijan to achieve “wide-scale democracy,” says Jean-Louis Loran, CE General Director for Political Affairs. CE aims working to reform Electoral Code, improve principles of formation of electoral commissions, organization of elections and voting, vote counting and procedure of administration of complaints. (05-FEB-07)
Written by Shahla Ismailova/HRH Baku on the basis of information from Turan Information Agency, Yeni Musavat newspaper.
In addition, freedom of speech and expressions and equal access of candidates to media and television must be observed not only during elections, but all the time. Council of Europe insists on excluding penalty for defamation from Criminal Code.
CE General Director for Political Affairs also said that local self-government agencies are “weak” in Azerbaijan. CE continues work to improve legal system in Azerbaijan. In particular, we will continue working to strengthen lawyers’ status and improve conditions in penitentiaries.
He also commented the possibility of restoration of position of rapporteur on political prisoners “So far I know, problems in this field have not been fully resolved,” said Loran. He added that on the one side CE has been also providing assistance to Azerbaijan to conduct democratic reforms. On the other side, we monitor fulfillment of commitments through PACE, CE Committee of Ministers and inquiries of PACE Secretariat.
