HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER TO VISIT ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN
States News Service
July 6, 2009 Monday
BERLIN
The following information was released by the Federal Foreign Office
of Germany:
G¼nter Nooke, Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy
and Humanitarian Aid at the Federal Foreign Office, leaves today on
a trip to Armenia and Azerbaijan.
In Armenia he is scheduled to have talks with Foreign Minister
Nalbandian and Justice Minister Danielyan. He will also meet
representatives of the National Assembly, the Opposition and
civil society. His agenda will include the events surrounding the
presidential elections in February 2008 as well as issues relating
to freedom of the press and assembly. Before leaving for Armenia,
Nooke issued the following statement in Berlin:
"I welcome the recent extensive amnesty covering also individuals
sentenced in connection with the March 2008 demonstrations and civil
unrest as an important step towards national reconciliation. However,
the full truth of what happened following the presidential elections
has yet to be investigated and brought to light."
In Azerbaijan the Commissioner is due to meet Foreign and Justice
Ministry officials, the human rights Ombudswoman and independent
journalists and human rights activists. His talks in Baku will focus
on respect for freedom of the press, assembly and religion as well
as the laws governing the activities of non-governmental organizations.
In this connection the Commissioner commented as follows:
"A vibrant civil society is an essential part of any democracy. The
recently published bill on non-governmental organizations gave grounds
for concern in my view. I am pleased some of the planned restrictions
have now been dropped and trust that also in future civil society
engagement in Azerbaijan will continue to be possible."