A number of Azerbaijani human rights activists have met with the Norwegian parliamentarian Trond Giske (photo), the second Deputy Chairman of the Standing Committee on Family, Cultural Affairs and Government Administration at the Norwegian Parliament.
“We have updated Mr. Giske about the current problems of democratization, the deteriorating situation with human rights, the pressure on independent media on the eve of the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan”, said Fuad Hasanov, director of the “Against Violence” Human Rights Center (AVHRC). (29-APR-2005)

During the meeting with Mr. Giske the Azerbaijani activists, who voiced their concern and dissatisfaction on the pre-election climate in the country, underlined the importance of the efforts of the international community to create normal and legal atmosphere in the society.

Activists under danger
Novella Jafaroglu, chairwoman of the Association on Protection of Women Rights (AWPR), spoke of the unbearable and dangerous working conditions for human rights activists. “Activists are often threatened. Our colleagues in the regions face tremendous pressures of the local government authorities. The Resource Centers on human rights, which operate outside capital Baku and in remote regions to enlighten the society about the human rights, are often closed down or searched by police.”  

Ilgar Ibrahimoglu, the head Azerbaijan´s branch of the International Religious Liberty Association, stated that the Azeri authorities have prevented him from leaving Baku to deliver a report on religious persecution at the UN Commission on Human Rights. “My constitutional right to movement has been annulled and my activities as an international human rights advocate are being blocked.” Furthermore, Ibrahimoglu mentioned the current situation with the protection of conscience and persuasion freedom in Azerbaijan.

Nazir Guliyev, lawyer of the “XXI Century – Human Rights” spoke of the interference of the authorities to the activity of the NGOs.  “The training seminar of a group of NGO activists in Mingechaur district was interfered and suspended by the local authorities. The authorities are blocking the activity of the NGOs and prevent them from holding seminars. Besides, government is talking about revolution instead of holding free and fair elections. The government officials have openly stated that they will not allow opposition to realize any revolution in Azerbaijan.”

Gov´t  to mar the elections
 “Azerbaijani parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held on 6 November 2005. We are going to these elections with numerous serious problems. Society does not believe the free and fairness of these elections, because all the previous elections in Azerbaijan have been rigged. Election Code, which includes grave gaps and shortages, needs to be urgently amended. The recommendations proposed by Venice Commission to the national Election Code were not taken into account and implemented by Azerbaijan government. The NGOs and oppositional parties are kept uninformed about the discussion process on amendments to the Election Code, which is maintained in a secret way between government and Venice Commission officials.
Freedom of gathering is not ensured in Azerbaijan and opposition parties are not sanctioned to make any demonstration”, said Fuad Hasanov, AVHRC director and Coordinator of Legal Affairs Department of Election Monitoring Center of NGOs (EMC).

A package of written suggestions, developed by EMC, on “Democratisation of Pre-election Environment, Perfection of Election System and Electoral Legislation on the eve of Parliamentary Elections to be Conducted in Azerbaijan Republic” was handed to Mr. Giske by the AVHRC director.

“Another very serious problem is that the newly released seven opposition political party leaders can not participate as a candidate in the parliamentary elections since they were convicted concerning the events happened just aftermath the marred presidential elections of 2003. Under the election Code the convicted people can not run for any elections. However, the trial processes of these opposition leaders were found falsified and unfair by the ODIHR and other international organizations. Consequently, they were released under the international pressure. There should be a normal legal condition for them to candidate their own nominees at these parliamentary elections.  If we consider that they are the powerful opposition party leaders, obstacle in their participation in these elections gives opportunity to claim that the forthcoming elections under such unjust conditions can not be free and fair”, Hasanov underlined. 

Arzu Abdullayeva, the head of the Helsinki Citizens Assembly spoke of the joint initiative of NGOs to observe the coming parliamentary elections. “We should ensure the dialogue in the society. Both government and opposition camps hate each other. The latest appointments to various key positions government tries to keep people under scare. It is very serious sign ahead of the elections.”

130 Political Prisoners in jail
Leyla Yunus, director of the Institute of Peace and Democracy (IPD) noted that 130 political prisoners are still in jail, although government denies this fact.  “Azerbaijani government emphasizes that not any single political prisoner exist in the country. But, we have documented 130 people, who were arrested on political motives. Presently, people are persecuted for their political beliefs and subject to various tortures.”

Tortures committed by police
Elchin Behbudov, director of the Azerbaijan Center against Torture (ACAT) told about tortures, which are particularly committed at the police stations and Department on Struggle against Organized Crime. “Not any single policeman was punished or dismissed due to committing tortures”.

Public TV: another shattered hope
Murad Sadaddinov, director of the Azerbaijan Foundation for Democracy Development and Human Rights (AFDHR) drew the attention to the newly established Public TV and its composition. “The TV channels in Azerbaijan are controlled by government. People had great hopes for the Public TV, which could have been the tribune to freedom of speech and alternative ideas.  Public TV was set up as an obligation to the Council of Europe, but unfortunately it was completely staffed with government-minded people.”

Continuing pressures..
“The government’s pressures are still underway on opposition and media. The opposition party activists are often harassed, kidnapped, arrested or murdered. The member of the opposition-minded Azerbaijan Democrat Party (ADP) Taliyat Aliyev, editor-in-chief of opposition’s daily “Hurriyyet” Vugar Mamedov” and many other are in jail just because of their political views. Some forces have tried to keep us under scare by murdering the chief editor of daily “Monitor” Elmar Huseynov. 
Just recently, the chairman of an opposition party was kidnapped at a noon time by some masked people and heavily beaten up. He was urged to refrain from dealing with politics” noted Saida Gojamanly, director of the Bureau for Human Rights and Legality Respect (BHRLR).