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Thomas Hammarberg: My visit to Azerbaijan aims to make a total assessment on human rights

30 August 2007 16:06 (UTC +04:00)

- Who brought up the idea of visiting Azerbaijan?
- It is my own initiative, but we do not intend to part your country from other member states. Actually such systematic and regular visits are paid to all Council of Europe member states, and this visit is a part of that plan. I try to be at regions, cities to see all the reality. And I will be in other cities besides Baku. I will do my best to visit hospitals, schools and prisons in the regions.
- What does your visit aim? Which spheres will you mostly focus on?
- My visit aims to make whole assessment of state of human rights in Azerbaijan. I want to analyze state of human rights in all spheres. Certainly, we will focus on some issues, such as freedom of expression, activity of justice system, situation in prisons, IDPs and refugeesâ€™ problems. Actually there is not a country where human rights are not violated. There are different problems in different countries. Our aim is to define these differences. Moreover, we will attach importance to the freedom of speech. We would like to know how journalists are treated in Azerbaijan and how the term â€œfreedom of expressionâ€ is taken?
- After Armenia occupied Azerbaijani territories rights of more than 1 million Azerbaijanis were violated. Whatâ€™s your opinion concerning this issue as Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights? What measures might be taken within the framework of COE to protect IDPsâ€™ rights?
- As to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, as Commissioner our goal is not to find a political solution option. We focus on the rights of individuals who became displaced as the result of the Karabakh conflict and will try to achieve respect towards their rights. The aim of this visit is not just to analyze the conflict. Simply, we would be very pleased if we were informed about this problem during our meetings. This would help us to get clear idea of the problem.
- Migrants from Europe, including those migrated from Azerbaijan come across regular violation of their rights. Moreover, some countries have made their migration laws more severe which led to migrants facing serious problems. Are you informed about this? What steps are you going to take regarding this matter?
- We have a lot of information regarding immigration. We are working together with corresponding department of the UN, High Commissioner for Refugees in France and some other related structures in this direction. We have found out not only problems related to the right to seek asylum but also some other problems in a number of European countries. For instance, immigrants, those lacking proper documents face a different approach in a European country.
- The law on repatriation of Ahiska Turks passed by Georgia parliament contains items that somehow restrict their rights. For instance, the law says Ahiska Turks should be repatriated not to their original places but other parts of Georgia. It also says those willing to return to Georgia are to do this by January, 2009, otherwise, they will not be allowed. So, it is restricted to certain period of timeâ€¦
- I am closely following this issue, and I have raised this at Georgian government. We had certain part in adoption of a law on repatriation of Ahuska Turks at Georgian parliament. Regrettably, this law is not so ideal, however, I think the bill will serve repatriation of Ahiska Turks to their native places.
- Are you planning to visit Armenia?
- I am not planning to visit Armenia this time but it is in my future plans. /APA/