HEAD OF AZERBAIJAN’S PACE DELEGATION CONCERNED ABOUT CE DOUBLE STANDARDS

Trend News Agency
June 26 2008
Azerbaijan

France, Strasburg, 26 June / Trend corr A. Maharramli/ During PACE
discussions over Resolution on Armenia on 25 June, several deputies
backed extension of the period which was given to the country to admit
recommendations reflected in the document. Parliamentarians said
the period was not enough for Armenia and called on PACE to extend
the term to January 2009. As a result, the Resolution was passed
with several changes and the time given to Armenia was extended to
January 2009. During discussions over the resolution, Azerbaijani
parliamentarians voiced their views on the issue.

During his speech, a member of Azerbaijan’s PACE delegation Rafael
Huseynov informed the MPs of the fact that for 16 years Armenia had
been violating the international law and CE principles and 20% of
Azerbaijani territory is still under occupation of the country. He said
Armenia’s sovereignty is conditional. "Because Armenia is governed by
outer forces. When joining the Council of Europe, Armenia undertook
an obligation to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, but did not
fulfil that. On the other hand, Armenia is a hearth of instability
for neighbouring countries. The country is governed by a criminal
regime. Armenia needs creation of a special commission on human rights.

The head of Azerbaijani PACE delegation Samad Seyidov voiced his
perplexity about articles on Azerbaijan which were published on 25
June: "Not only Armenia’s problems must be concerned, but also the
problems persisting in CE. A view was voiced here that our approach
to countries is surrealistic. Although PACE members noted positive
progress in Azerbaijan and passing of election legislation as a result
of cooperation with the Venice Commission, the articles are rather
strict," he said.

Seyidov drew attention of the attendees to double standards
policy. "Human rights are openly infringed in Armenia, there are
political prisoners. But for some reason advancement is mentioned in
the report. That is application of double standards. In the report
on Armenia along with advancements, attention should be paid to
fulfilment of requirements and to the events going on in the country,"
he stressed.