Azerbaijan, Baku /corr. Trend K.Ramazanova / If Azerbaijan does not improve the situation with the human rights by 2008, the Council of Europe will take relevant steps, the Co-rapporteur of the PACE Monitoring Committee, Andreas Herkel, briefed the media on 9 December in Baku.
"Arresting journalists is one of the most morbid issues in Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe's member should not allow such cases to take place," he said.
In addition, the Co-rapporteur expressed his regret with regards to the recent arrest of the journalist of Azadlyg ('Freedom') radio in Nakchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan.
Herkel said that the corruption in Azerbaijan exists not only in the economic, but also education sphere. According to him, firstly democratic institutions, including freedom of speech, should exist in Azerbaijan to fight against corruption.
Herkel attends the international conference 'Policy of the European Union and Council of Europe regarding human rights: Prospects of Azerbaijan's integration into Europe' which is taking lace in Baku on 9 December. In addition, the conference brings together special representatives of the Council of Europe, Azerbaijani delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), law observers and others.