Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 18
By Sabina Ahmadova - Trend:
The resolution on human rights in Azerbaijan, adopted Sept. 18 by the European Parliament, is completely unfounded and biased, according to a statement of Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry's Spokesman Elman Abdullayev.
The statement said Azerbaijan fully secures the rule of law, protection of human rights, freedom of expression and assembly, and independence of the judiciary.
"No one is prosecuted or condemned in Azerbaijan for political beliefs or activities," the statement said. "No one in Azerbaijan has the right to consider himself above the law just like in any democratic society ensuring the rule of law."
"The resolution, which indicates to a subjective attitude, is aimed at exerting a political pressure on Azerbaijan," Abdullayev said in his statement.
He added that the artificial emergence of such a resolution on the eve of the ceremony of expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor and laying the foundation of TANAP on Sept. 20, should be regarded as an attempt under the guise of "human rights" to harm the development of the EU-Azerbaijan relations, and the project, which will make an indispensable contribution to EU's energy security.
Abdullayev said the resolution, which originates from an anti-Azerbaijani political request and double standards, is an evidence of the existence of powers in the European Parliament, acting against EU's fundamental interests.
He added that these circles, representing themselves as heralds of human rights and democracy, are deliberately turning a blind eye on violation of rights of over one million Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs deprived of their basic rights, which shows the real intention of these circles and the fact that they serve to double standards.