Azerbaijan, Baku / corr. Trend I.Alizade / MP Samed Seyidov, Head of the Azerbaijani Parliamentary delegation at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), informed Trend exclusively that the term 'political prisoners' has never been defined in Azerbaijan.
He noted that Azerbaijan has firmly stated its opinion of those people introduced as political prisoners. Any issues which concern the violation of their rights, the resolution to their problems, their release and humanitarian situation is deliberated within the working group.
A meeting of the working group was held prior to pardons being issued by the Azerbaijani President, Ilham Aliyev. Those pardoned were people who were included in the working group list. The next meeting of the working group will be held prior to the PACE spring session.
MP Seyidov stated that Azerbaijan is working to resolve all problems existing in the country. "It is not right to exaggerate problems which damage Azerbaijan's image," he emphasized.
"Also, I do not see the necessity to appoint an additional rapporteur on this issue, the work accomplished in Azerbaijan in this respect confirms it," he added.