Free and fair elections are the basic condition of democratic
development, says PACE President in Baku
Strasbourg, 09.07.2007 – Lasting prosperity and sustainable development
are not possible without respecting the CoE fundamental values of
democracy, human rights and the rule of law, declared René van der
Linden, President of PACE, at the end of his visit to Azerbaijan on 8-9
July 2007.
The President stressed, in particular, the importance of free and fair
elections which are the basis of each democratic system. Therefore it is
of the utmost importance that the 2008 Presidential elections take place
in accordance with the CoE standards and mark a striking difference with
the 2005 parliamentary elections.
Mr van der Linden urged the authorities to intensify cooperation with
the CoE to improve the election legislation, in particular as regards
the composition and functioning of electoral commissions and the rights
of observers.
Freedom of demonstration, of media, unrestraint functioning of political
parties and independent justice are the pillars of democracy, underlined
Mr van der Linden. The authorities must examine very seriously the
concerns regarding the existing problems in this area and to take the
necessary measures to comply with CoE standards.
Particular attention must be given to the cases of journalists in prison
and other persons allegedly imprisoned for political reasons. Those of
them in bad health should be released on humanitarian grounds.
In Resolution 1416 (2005), the Assembly held that "considerable parts of
the territory of Azerbaijan are still occupied by Armenian forces".
Regrettably, this situation has not changed since my last visit in 2005,
said PACE President. Political leaders on both sides must show
determination to give a new political impetus to the negotiations. In
any case, Armenia and Azerbaijan must respect their commitment taken
upon accession to the CoE to use only peaceful means for settling the
conflict.
The Assembly contributes to the democratic reforms in Azerbaijan through
its monitoring procedure which is a privileged tool of assistance and
dialogue between PACE and the authorities of Azerbaijan, concluded Mr
van der Linden.
The visit to Azerbaijan was the last part of PACE President’s South
Caucasian trip including also Armenia and Georgia.
Press Release
Parliamentary Assembly Communication Unit
Ref: 492a07
Tel: +33 3 88 41 31 93
Fax :+33 3 90 21 41 34
[email protected]
internet:
The Parliamentary Assembly brings together 318 members from the national
parliaments of the 47 member states.
President: René van der Linden (Netherlands, EPP/CD); Secretary
General of the Assembly: Mateo Sorinas.
Political Groups: SOC (Socialist Group); EPP/CD (Group of the European
People’s Party); ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe);
EDG (European Democratic Group); UEL (Group of the Unified European
Left).
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
