Azerbaijani parliamentarian releases document in PACE on political prisoners in Armenia

The thesis “Even one political prisoner in the Council of Europe member states is more than normal†is the principal position of the Council of Europe and there is a need to take concrete steps so that this fair approach does not remain as a statement only. Issue on mass violation of human rights in Armenia were raised in the Assembly several times, serious documents were prepared. Though these problems were mentioned while discussing Armenia’s commitments vis-à -vis the Council of Europe, it was offered to impose sanctions against this country, neither Armenia took real measures to normalize the situation, nor the Assembly took any measures against Armenia.
There are a number of sorrowful facts that in connection with the people’s protests against the violations of law during the presidential elections in Armenia on February 19, 2008, the authorities used force, peaceful demonstrations were dispersed by killing, beating, arresting the demonstrators. They were shown in the related reports of the Council of Europe (resolution 1609 (2008) on the functioning of democratic institutions in Armenia; resolution 1620 (2008) on the implementation by Armenia of Assembly Resolution 1609; resolution 1643 (2009) on the implementation by Armenia of Assembly resolutions 1609 and 1620), in the report of the Human Rights watch “Armenia: Police beat peaceful protesters in Yerevan†02.03.2008, in the important websites of the world.
The document says that there are hundreds of political prisoners in Armenian prisons now.
“Armenian government continues its illegal activity ignoring calls of nongovernmental organizations, Council of Europe and a number of other international organizations. Instead of solving the problem, the number of political prisoners increases, most Armenian citizens leave the county to escape political pursuit and terror, antidemocratic regime in the country.
The Council of Europe must not leave the Armenian people alone in this situation and must take immediate measures to stabilize the situation and to facilitate establishing of international law norms and protection of human rights in the country. Five principles elaborated by the Council of Europe experts and adopted by the Assembly regarding the notion of political prisoner (“Political prisoners in Europeâ€, doc. 9465, May 2002; “Problem of the determination of accepted comprehensive criterions on the notion of political prisonerâ€, doc. 9462, January 2003) can be implemented concerning the number of Armenian citizens arrested for political reasons and with serious procedural violations. Taking it into consideration the Assembly is insistently recommending to appoint special rapporteur immediately for investigation of the problem of political prisoner in Armenia and to prepare detailed report about the problemâ€.
Commenting the spread document to APA European bureau Rafael Huseynov said Azerbaijan joined the Council of Europe in 2001 and the issue of political prisoner has been raised at the Council since than. “There is no such notion in law. It is a notion created by the politiciansâ€, member of Azerbaijani delegation to PACE Rafael Huseynov told APA. He said during the discussions on the problem of political prisoner there were questions about the criterions used for determination of this notion. “The expert group established by PACE elaborated five principles to determine the notion of political prisoner and at one time these principles were a basis of investigation on Azerbaijan only. We raised the issue for many times that the principles must be implemented in all European countries because certain people arrested there can be considered as political prisoners according to those criterions and it must be investigated without different approach and with same mechanism. This issue was not focused for long years because of double standards. The problem of political prisoner was discussed at the PACE Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights and we raised the issue at this Committee recentlyâ€.
Rafael Huseynov emphasized that the Council of Europe pursues the policy of double standard not implementing the notion of political prisoner in other countries. “Unfortunately the Council of Europe doesn’t value the prisoners arrested in post-election bloody events in other countries, particularly newly independent countries, and valued by NGOs as a political prisoner. Therefore we prepared the document and put the issue on agenda. This document was prepared on the basis of proposals made for resolutions and recommendations issued at the Council of Europe. It described the raising of this issue in other countries of Europe, including Armenia. PACE deputies showed great interest to this document and signed it. The document was submitted to PACE Secretariat. I think the document will be discussed soon at the Committee of Legal Affairs and Human Rights, as well as at the Sub-Committee on Human Rights. It is expected also to be reviewed by PACE Bureau. It is expected that the Council of Europe will bring the investigation of political prisoner issue in other countries in agenda and will appoint the rapporteur on this issueâ€.
Foreign

Head of Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan meets with delegation from UAE Accountability Authority

Azerbaijan and Vietnam adopt 2025-2027 Action Plan

Azerbaijan MFA extends condolences to Iraq over tragic mall fire

PM Pashinyan suggests meeting with Azerbaijani leader in Abu Dhabi can yield positive results
NEWS FEED
Multiple casualties in UK school bus crash, say police
United States to sanction Russia if no deal on Ukraine is made in fifty days — White House
Trump diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency following leg swelling
Iranian Ambassador: We expect that deepening of Armenia-Europe relations will also have positive impact on Yerevan-Tehran relations
Azerbaijani President made post on events held with participation of counterpart from Turkmenistan
White House: After church strike, Trump called Netanyahu, who has agreed to state it was a mistake
President Ilham Aliyev and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov had joint dinner in Shusha
Another renovated courtyard under "Our Courtyard" project opened for residents' use-PHOTO
Slovenia declares two Israeli ministers persona non grata
Victims injured and taken captive by Armenian armed forces testify in court
Zelenskyy and Trump discuss 'mega deal': US arms in exchange for Ukrainian drones
Media: Shahin Shikhlinsky, leader of Azerbaijani diaspora in Yekaterinburg, put into wanted list
Pope Leo says he hopes to visit Türkiye later this year
UK, Germany sign friendship treaty, deepening ties in face of threats
Fire at Iraq mall kills 69, prime minister orders probe-UPDATED-1
Azerbaijan MES: Fire near Hochaz and Mollalar villages in Lachin district fully extinguished -PHOTO-VIDEO-UPDATED-1
IDF confirms Lebanon drone strikes, says 2 Hezbollah members killed
Ukrainian embassy demands justice over Malaysia Airlines and AZAL plane crashes
Telegram to open representative office in Russia
Azerbaijani deputy justice minister meets with Vietnamese counterpart to discuss legal cooperation
Zakharova: Russia is ready to respond to any scenario in Transnistria
Istanbul Governor calls on foreign countries regarding FETO terrorist organization
Russia warns it may target military sites in countries enabling Ukraine’s strikes
Ukrainian parliament approves ex-PM Denys Shmyhal as defense minister
Turkish President discussed Israeli attacks with Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa
IDF soldier charged with spying for Iran, sending footage of rocket impact sites
Head of Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan meets with delegation from UAE Accountability Authority
Trial begins for Miradalat Talishkhanov, detained by SSS over public anti-state calls
Prime Minister: Tbilisi will not repeal laws preventing revolutions at the request of EU
Beşiktaş officially gives up on Kyle Walker-Peters after repeated delays
7,549 crimes committed in Baku this year
CNN: Russia tightens its stranglehold on Ukraine battlefield
Starmer and Merz sign UK–Germany treaty on defense and migration
Armenian and Iranian security chiefs discuss regional communications and security cooperation
Audit institutions must establish a unified approach to SDGs, says Russian auditor Orlova
Chamber Chairman: Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan reach agreement on parallel audit
Azerbaijani citizen held captive in Armenia: I was tortured and beaten
France hands over its last two military bases in Senegal to local government
43 more families relocated to Kangarli village in Aghdam district get house keys -PHOTO-UPDATED
Karabakh horse named “Dostlug” presented to Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at Jidir Duzu plain
U.S. Special Representative Kit Kellogg leaves Ukraine after talks with Zelensky
Israeli minister criticizes UN Secretary General
Olga Stefanishyna appointed as Ukraine’s special representative for U.S. cooperation
President Ilham Aliyev and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visited Mehmandarovs’ Estate Complex in Shusha
President of Azerbaijan and Chairman of Turkmenistan’s Halk Maslahaty visited Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque in Shusha
Two killed, three injured in car accident in Goranboy, Azerbaijan -PHOTO
Voting age to be lowered to 16 in UK by next general election
President Ilham Aliyev and Chairman of Turkmenistan’s Halk Maslahaty visited Bulbul’s House-Museum in Shusha
Contract signed between the “Azerigaz” Production Union and “Esyasoft Holding” LTD
Cadet shoots two servicemen at training ground in Ukraine