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The election body of OSCE and ODIHR issued its final report on the 2005 parliamentary elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Following the November 6 elections the OSCE released a preliminary report in which they stated the elections did not meet international standards. Their final report expands on this idea, highlighting in the shortcomings of the complaints and appeal process both during and after the elections. It also notes the lack of accountability for local government officials who were accused of interfering in the election process. (05-FEB-2006) 

The credentials of the Azeri delegation in PACE, challenged  in connection with Parliamentary Elections of November 2005, were discussed and considered at the sitting of PACE in Strasbourg in January session. The resolution of PACE, consisting of 12 paragraphs, summarizes the lack of favorable conditions for free and fair elections. The Assembly concluded to decide whether to apply Rule 9 of the Rules of Procedure on the basis of the report on the progress made in all the areas mentioned paragraph 9 of this Resolution in June-session. (04-FEB-2006)

New charges have been pressed against Mr. Ruslan Bashirli, chairman of the Youth Movement “Yeni Fikir”, who is currently in preliminary detention, reports the International Secretariat of World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT). -We are gravely concerned by the general climate of harassment against members of the youth organisation Yeni Fikir, reads the statement of OMCT. (31-JAN-06)
 

Nardaran village, which is located in the outskirts of Baku city has again become in the center of attention for last few days. This village, where the religious and traditional customs and values are deeply rooted, has repeatedly been in the news in different times for the strong and principal standpoint in public/political processes. The population of the village is strongly united and supportive to one another. The incident of gunfire between local citizens and police occurred on the 24-th of January – caused the non-stop rally of the population with the demand to investigate the case and punish the guilty (29-JAN-2006).

The hunger strike of youth activists, which were fighting for the restoration of the rights of two expelled students – Turan Aliyev and Namig Feyziyev for political motives – succeeded. The protest action, which continued since the 28-th of December ended up with the restoration of the expelled students to the universities. The success of the action also was realized due to wide national and international support and appeals to the administration of universities and the ministry (19-JAN-2006).
 

The hunger strike targeted at restoration of the education rights of two expelled students – Turan Aliyev and Namik Feyziyev continues for 16 days. The health condition of Emin Huseynov deteriorated so much, that he has urgently been hospitalized today. The other 3 strikers have serious pains and weakness. Nevertheless, there is still no action taken by the Ministry of Education or the Ombudsman in the direction of protecting the strikers’ rights. The picket of the young activists in front of the Ministry of Education has been dispersed today. (12-JAN-2006)

The hunger strike of activists of youth movements in the Republic of Azerbaijan continues for 11 days. The strike is directed to restore the education rights of two students Turan Aliyev and Namiq Feyziyev expelled from the universities on political motives. (07-JAN-2006)

The activists of youth movement continue the hunger strike for the 7-th day. The strikers are demanding the restoration of education rights of two students Turan Aliyev and Namig Feiziyev who were expelled from the universities for their political views. Though the health state of the strikers gets deteriorated there is still no official reaction from the side of officials to the action. The Ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova visited the strikers on the 31-st of December and promised to make the efforts to restore the students’ rights, but it can be only after the 5-th of January, official working day. The strikers intend to continue the protest action until the restoration of their rights. (03-JAN-2006)

Baku: A number of oppositionals were detained and dozens beaten up during an unsanctioned demonstration in Baku on 18 December 2005. The Azeri Authoroties have previously received massive international criticism after the brutal break up of the peaceful rally in Baku on November 26. (19-DEC-2005)