Thorbjorn Jagland calls on Azerbaijan to respect obligations to CoEMarch 23, 2011 - 12:16 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - In a letter to President Aliyev of Azerbaijan, Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland expressed his concerns about the respect for the pluralism of political debate, freedom of expression, and freedom of association in the country. “Several developments are causing concern with regard to the commitments and obligations in the fields of the protection and promotion of human rights, pluralist democracy and the rule of law Azerbaijan subscribed to on becoming a member state of the Council of Europe,” Mr. Jagland said. The Secretary General called for a change to the very restrictive approach to the freedom of Assembly, following the number of recent arrests prior to the demonstrations held in Baku on 11 and 12 March. He also expressed his disappointment at the continued failure of the Azerbaijan authorities to implement the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights and to look at all the possibilities to end the detention of the imprisoned editor Mr Eynulla Fatullayev. The Secretary General reiterated the offer to help the Azerbaijan authorities to bring the legislation and the administrative and judicial practices in protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms to the level expected from a member State of the Council of Europe. He also expressed his willingness to visit Baku and discuss these issues with President Aliyev and his administration, the CoE said on its website. 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 | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |