Azerbaijan, Baku, 19 March / corr Trend S.Ilhamgizi / The law-defenders Arzu Abdullayeva, Saida Gojamanli, Novella Jafaroglu, and Saadat Benenyarli, members of the Monitoring Committee, consider that no-inclusion of the journalists and sick in prison to the list of people pardoned in accordance with the presidential decree dated 18 March is a blow on Azerbaijan's image.
"The Council of Europe Bureau held a meeting on 13 March and the Azerbaijani Government was offered good conditions to release journalists and sick people in prisons in the run up to Novruz holiday. However, the Government did not use this chance," the joint declaration of the law-defenders read.
They noted that the presidential elections were held with tremendous falsifications and violation of human rights. Falsifications were also observed during the presidential elections in Georgia. These facts can serve as cause for holding extraordinary discussions at the OSCE.
"The Azerbaijani Government had a chance to benefit the situation, releasing the journalists and sick and contribute in positive image of the country. However, it did not occur. So, the PACE is obliged to pursue the balancing policy in the sphere of human rights in all three South Caucasus countries," the law-defenders stated
They appealed to the head of state to clarify the situation. The law-defenders stated that every time whenever the PACE session is solving disputable issue regarding Azerbaijan, the political figures and journalists in the country are detained, posed to pressures and it cannot regarded as accidental. Both Azerbaijan and the international community relate it the policy pursued by the Government, whilst the Government can prevent the formation of such idea through releasing journalists and sick people in prisons.