Venice Commission slams Baku's proposed constitutional reformsSeptember 21, 2016 - 16:18 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Constitutional law experts from the Council of Europe have criticized proposed changes to Azerbaijan’s constitution to be put to a national referendum on September 26, RFE/RL reports. The Venice Commission said on Wednesday, September 21 that many draft proposals would severely upset the balance of power by giving “unprecedented” powers to the president. For example, the extension of the presidential mandate from five to seven years “cannot be justified” given the already very strong position of the president, according to the opinion. The commission said another proposed reform giving the president power to dissolve parliament would both make political dissent in parliament “largely ineffective” and affect the independence of the judiciary, since parliament’s role in the approval of judges will be reduced. It also criticized the procedure of the referendum as having lacked proper debate in parliament and having been carried out too quickly and without real public discussion. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |