Trends exclusive interview with special representative of the Council of Europe Secretary General to Azerbaijan, Mr Denis Bribosia
Question: Will the Council of Europe openly observe the municipal elections to be held in Azerbaijan on 6 October 2006?
Answer: The Council of Europe attaches great importance to these elections with the hope that the municipal elections will run smoothly and in line with the necessary standards. The CE will be in observance during the polls. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities will dispatch a monitoring delegation which will stay in Azerbaijan from 3 - 8 October.
As a rule, such processes require considerable funds and therefore, the composition of the delegation will not be large. Nevertheless, work carried out during the elections will be of a high standard. The monitoring will be held in the capital and regions of Azerbaijan.
Question: How do you estimate the resolution of part of the opposition on boycotting the elections?
Answer: When the opposition boycotts the elections, the democracy system fails. Im not in a position to blame either side. Perhaps, the opposition has reason to boycott the elections. I cannot condemn it.
As to demand from the opposition to make changes to the Elections Code, this is a requirement that the CE would like to witness. The CE has been informed that the changes will definitely occur and we hope this to be the case. In this respect the CE and the Venice Commission have agreed to work towards this goal.
Question: How do you estimate the fulfillment of the CE obligations by Azerbaijan?
Answer: This is a large-scale issue. Several bodies of the CE are observing the issue. Their reports are periodically submitted to the public for consideration. Summing up the reports, I can say that there are serious wishes by the parliamentarians as well as the Committee of Ministers for changes to be carried out. They want to be confident that this is not just a short burst of democracy, but a serious and stable progression.
Question: What are your opinions on the state of media in Azerbaijan
Answer: We believe that freedom of expression is one of the major attributes of democracy. Of course, we would not like to hear of reports of journalists being persecuted. The journalists should fulfill their duties and avoid becoming involved with the authorities. I call on all to realize that the European Court also encourages freedom of expression. People should express their opinions and be able to ask questions. At the same time they should always take into consideration that the there are boundaries which should not be overstepped. The European Court on Human Rights has outlined these boundaries.
Undoubtedly, the journalists should not damage the honor and dignity of people in the press. Journalists are not allowed to act in this manner. Here Id like to add that the use of criminal policy in these issues is not allowed. The possibility of persecution and arrest of journalists makes them extremely careful which in turn affects their activities.
Question: Do the senior ranking officials of the CE plan to visit Azerbaijan?
Answer: The Chairman of the PACE Ad Hoc Committee on Nagorno-Karabakh, Lord Rassel Johnston will visit Azerbaijan, exactly when has not been confirmed. The Parliamentary Assembly assures us that the Committee led by Johnson is capable of influencing the process of talks on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and therefore, the visit is imminent.
Next year PACE plans to conduct a conference with the participation of parliamentary delegates from Azerbaijan and Armenia to discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. At present we are unable to advise you on the venue of the conference, which is to be organized by the Ad Hoc Committee. Rassel will visit Azerbaijan prior to this forum.
Question: Does the CE plan to participate in the processes linked with the fire in the occupied territory of Azerbaijan?
Answer: It would be more expedient to simplify many issues father complicate. At present there is no necessity to include all organizations in the issue. It might be received with some resistance. Therefore, the OSCE is responsible for processing the issue. There is no reason for the CE to interfere with the process. However, the Ad Hoc Committee on Nagorno-Karabakh will hold a meeting during the PACE session in October, but as far as I know, some MPs are going to put forward the issue.
Question: What big events does the CE plan to conduct in the near future?
Answer: A number of events are on schedule. School of political sciences will be set up soon. Its opening is scheduled for 6 November 2006. It is an important tool which will help to teach young and promising leaders in Azerbaijan about democracy and politics. Similar schools function this way in many countries. Now we are working on the establishment of the Association of Municipal Bodies in Azerbaijan. By the end of the year crucial meetings are planned in connection with the education of judges in the penitentiary system.