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Denis Bribosia: Problem on alternative military service is more serious in Azerbaijan and Armenia

08 February 2007 16:36 (UTC +04:00)

Special Envoy of the Council of Europe Secretary General to Azerbaijan Denis Bribosia interviewed by the APA

- How do you appreciate the situation on Azerbaijanâ€™s fulfilling the CE commitments?
- The situation should not be described in black and white. As you know, a part of the commitments have already been fulfilled, but some of them remain. Of course, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and Committee of Ministers expect improvements in some spheres. We do not approach the issue on commitments as unilateral process, it is a bilateral process. We do not make anybody fulfill these commitments, but only help those who want to fulfill them. We are working together and do our best to achieve our aims. The commitments to be fulfilled are transparent elections, freedom of press, independence of local authorities, improvement of court system and others. Both the Council of Europe and Azerbaijan are working on fulfillment of these commitments.
I am sure that Azerbaijan will fulfill commitment on alternative military service. We are taking necessary measures on all commitments and the commitment concerning alternative military service as well. Azerbaijani government has prepared preliminary project. Council of Europe has approved its remarks and proposals on the content. We expect Azerbaijani government to organize a meeting and discuss the commitment on alternative military service. Alternative service is a very serious problem in every country. A number of countries have problems concerning it, but this problem is more serious in Azerbaijan and Armenia. Some countries do not accept people refusing to carry arms as it contradicts the views of these societies.
- How do you estimate the situation on political prisoners in Azerbaijan?
- We do not know concrete number of political prisoners in Azerbaijan. The cases of political prisoners have been considered again and some of them arrested again and some were released. That is why it is necessary to specify some issues concerning the list of political prisoners. As I mentioned, Council of Europe has appreciated the release of some political prisoners by Azerbaijani government. Certainly, this issue remains unclosed; CE continues to keep this matter in the focus. Now, the situation on this issue is better than before.
- Do you think a new rapporteur on political prisoners will be appointed to Azerbaijan again?
- This issue should be solved by PACE. But I can say that we want the better solution of this problem.
- If the establishment of the composition of Election Commission is not possible on priority principles, can it be estimated as non-fulfillment of Azerbaijanâ€™s CE commitments?
- To hold just and free elections in the country is very important for the democracy in the country. Dialogue on this issue continues. Sometimes we come across with technical problems but I do not want to speak about them. I think that the election commission should be composed of people worthy of support of society. Our aim is to solve the problem until the next elections.
- How do you estimate the role of CE in the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict?
- The borders of the state can only be changed on the international legislation. Only these borders can be considered legal and it should be concerned to Azerbaijan and its borders. The only aim of CE is to achieve peaceful settlement of the conflict. The CE can only assist to remove divergences and reduce the tension concerning the conflict./APA/