SAMED SEIDOV: "IF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE CONTINUES DOUBLE STANDARDS AGAINST AZERBAIJAN, THE POSITION OF OUR COUNTRY TO THIS ORGANIZATION WILL CHANGE"

Today.Az
02 February 2009 [17:57]

The Council of Europe applies double standards towards Azerbaijan
and if such policy continues Azerbaijan might review position on this
organization, said head of the Azerbaijani delegation in PACE Samed
Seidov at today’s session of Milli Medjlis.

He noted that Azerbaijan has fulfilled all its committments assumed
during CE accession except for the law "On alternative service". He
said European deputies realize the complexity of adoption of this law,
as Azerbaijan is at war with Armenia".

Meanwhile, Seidov, speaking about raising the issue of appointment
of a rapporteur "on political prisoners" in PACE, said this is an
example of double standards towards Azerbaijan.

"PACE has not deprived Armenia of the voting right due to the
post-electoral situation in this country, where 12 people died during
protest, mass medias were closed and several opposition deputies
arrested, while the activity of NGOs was limited.

Yet in its document PACE has never mentioned the term "political
prisoners in Armenia" and contended itself with the formulation
"persons under arrest". However, on this background, PACE is raising
the issue of the need to appoint a rapporteur on "political prisoners"
in Azerbaijan, though this issue was settled in this country several
years ago", said Seidov.