I do not think that there is a problem between Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe in an issue connected with political prisoners, MP Ganira Pashayeva, a member of the Azerbaijan delegation to PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe), told Trend expressing her attitude to announcements connected with the necessity of a report on political prisoners to be made by A. Herkel, PACE Co-Rapporteur on Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijani MP pointed out that being a co-Rapporteur, Mr. Herkel could express his thoughts correctly. However, thoughts on preparing a report on an issue of political prisoners in Azerbaijan are not realistic. After the mission of PACE Co-Rapporteur on Political Prisoners Malcolm Bruce was completed, this issue was removed from the agenda of the Council Europe. If PACE considered it necessary, then it would have included an appointment of a new Rapporteur on this issue to the agenda, she pointed out.
Ganira Pashayeva also pointed out that those persons PACE referred to political prisoners in Azerbaijan were released in accordance with the President`s orders on pardon. I do not think that there is a problem between Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe in an issue connected with political prisoners, she stressed.
There was a time when convicted individuals were not able to appeal to the European Court. As soon as Azerbaijan joined the international convention, the citizens of the country gained rights to appeal to the European Court. Those who consider that their rights were not restored in Azerbaijani courts could freely appeal to the European Court. Any persons who considers themselves to be political prisoners should take the matter to the European Court as well, she said.