Azerbaijan undergoing “constitutional crisis” – pundit

Space TV, Baku
23 May 05

Some basic human rights and freedoms, specifically the right to free
assembly, are being violated in Azerbaijan, participants in Space TV’s
Evening Debates programme said on Monday 23 May.

“People in Azerbaijan have not been allowed to use their right to free
assembly for a year and half now,” said Cingiz Mammadov, an expert on
international development projects. Mr Mammadov added that Azerbaijan
was currently experiencing a “constitutional crisis” because the
authorities are violating the human rights envisaged by the country’s
constitution.

At the same time, Rabiyat Aslanova, deputy chairman of the
parliamentary commission for human rights, said Azerbaijan was
successful on its path to democracy. Ms Aslanova added some countries
and international organizations were trying to force their principles
and “model” on others.

“They are putting pressure on Azerbaijan under the pretext of human
rights,” she said, accusing international organizations of
indifference to the fact that Armenia is violating the rights of
Azerbaijani citizens.

Human rights advocate Cingiz Qanizada said Azerbaijani citizens would
not be able to protect their rights unless the country’s judiciary is
independent.