DENIS BRIBOSIA: PROBLEM ON ALTERNATIVE MILITARY SERVICE IS MORE SERIOUS IN AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Feb 8 2007
"Council of Europe expects Azerbaijani government to hold joint
discussions on alternative military service"
Special Envoy of the Council of Europe Secretary General to Azerbaijan
Denis Bribosia interviewed by the APA
– How do you appreciate the situation on Azerbaijan’s fulfilling the
CE commitments?
– The situation should not be described in black and white. As
you know, a part of the commitments have already been fulfilled,
but some of them remain. Of course, Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe and Committee of Ministers expect improvements
in some spheres. We do not approach the issue on commitments as
unilateral process, it is a bilateral process. We do not make
anybody fulfill these commitments, but only help those who want to
fulfill them. We are working together and do our best to achieve
our aims. The commitments to be fulfilled are transparent elections,
freedom of press, independence of local authorities, improvement of
court system and others. Both the Council of Europe and Azerbaijan
are working on fulfillment of these commitments.
I am sure that Azerbaijan will fulfill commitment on alternative
military service. We are taking necessary measures on all commitments
and the commitment concerning alternative military service as well.
Azerbaijani government has prepared preliminary project. Council
of Europe has approved its remarks and proposals on the content. We
expect Azerbaijani government to organize a meeting and discuss the
commitment on alternative military service. Alternative service is
a very serious problem in every country. A number of countries have
problems concerning it, but this problem is more serious in Azerbaijan
and Armenia. Some countries do not accept people refusing to carry
arms as it contradicts the views of these societies.
– How do you estimate the situation on political prisoners in
Azerbaijan?
– We do not know concrete number of political prisoners in
Azerbaijan. The cases of political prisoners have been considered
again and some of them arrested again and some were released. That
is why it is necessary to specify some issues concerning the list
of political prisoners. As I mentioned, Council of Europe has
appreciated the release of some political prisoners by Azerbaijani
government. Certainly, this issue remains unclosed; CE continues to
keep this matter in the focus. Now, the situation on this issue is
better than before.
– Do you think a new rapporteur on political prisoners will be
appointed to Azerbaijan again?
– This issue should be solved by PACE. But I can say that we want
the better solution of this problem.
– If the establishment of the composition of Election Commission is not
possible on priority principles, can it be estimated as non-fulfillment
of Azerbaijan’s CE commitments?
– To hold just and free elections in the country is very important
for the democracy in the country. Dialogue on this issue continues.
Sometimes we come across with technical problems but I do not want
to speak about them. I think that the election commission should be
composed of people worthy of support of society. Our aim is to solve
the problem until the next elections.
– How do you estimate the role of CE in the settlement of Nagorno
Karabakh conflict?
– The borders of the state can only be changed on the international
legislation. Only these borders can be considered legal and it should
be concerned to Azerbaijan and its borders. The only aim of CE is to
achieve peaceful settlement of the conflict. The CE can only assist to
remove divergences and reduce the tension concerning the conflict.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
