Zerkalo, Baku, in Russian
17 Nov 04, p 1,2

AZERI RIGHTS ACTIVIST URGES SOLUTION OF PROBLEMS WITHOUT EUROPE’S
INTERVENTION

The Ago Group of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
(PACE) is expected to pay a visit to Baku shortly. Its members will
become familiar with the fulfillment of Azerbaijan’s commitments to
the Council of Europe, the situation on human rights and freedoms and
the preparations for municipal elections (on 17 December).

The visitors will tour the regions and penitentiary institutions and
meet convicted opposition members (for organizing post-election riots
in Baku on 15-16 October). Besides, they are scheduled to meet human
rights activists and representatives of the official circles,
political parties and public associations.

(Passage omitted: irrelevant details)

The head of the Azerbaijani foundation of democratic development,
Murad Sadaddinov, and a member of the monitoring group of human
rights organizations, Saida Qocamanli, have shared their views on the
forthcoming visit with Zerkalo.

Sadaddinov said that the members of the group will visit not only
Azerbaijan, but Armenia and Georgia as well.

(Passage omitted: known details)

Asked about possible results of the visit of the Ago Group,
Sadaddinov said: “The Committee of Ministers is the only Council of
Europe entity whose decisions are mandatory for all members of this
organization. Their opinions play a positive role in resolving
certain issues pertaining to human rights and democracy.”

Qocamanli agreed with Sadaddinov. She said the main topic of
discussion during the meeting of the foreign visitors with human
rights activists will be the issue of political prisoners. She said
that this topical issue was actually a hot potato, being one of the
main commitments of Azerbaijan to the Council of Europe.

The list compiled by the members of the monitoring group now includes
a total of 62 political prisoners, while this number was 716 before,
she noted. “We are concerned over this issue because a new cohort of
inmates comprising those involved in the October events and the
leaders of opposition parties has emerged in the country,” she said.

The sides will focus on public TV and the freedom of speech during
the meeting, as well as discuss the fulfillment by Azerbaijan of the
European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms,
Qocamanli said.

Speaking about a possible outcome of the visit, the human rights
activist said: “We should not pin hopes on the Council of Europe with
regard to the problem of human rights, but deal with it ourselves. I
think there are issues that we can resolve ourselves.”

As an example, Qocamanli cited the last year meeting of the
monitoring group of human rights organizations with high-ranking
officials in the hierarchy of Azerbaijan’s ruling pyramid. About 30
political prisoners have been released following meetings of this
kind, she said. “I am not in favour of having all our ‘vexed
problems’ discussed at the Council of Europe. I am for resolving our
problems inside the country,” Qocamanli said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress