Azerbaijan, Baku, 23 April / corr. Trend K. Ramazanova/ The Ago group called upon the Azerbaijani Government to be more careful about issues related to freedom of expression, said the report by Ago Group published on 22 April.
"Several laws concerning media, democracy, local government and freedom of assembly have not taken effect yet. There should be dialogues between opposition and government. Open and transparent public conditions should be created and trainings advocating Council of Europe values must be organized," the report said.
Ago group believes that it is important to make changes into the Election Code, taking into consideration the problems that non-government organizations face in staging demonstrations. It also called upon Azerbaijani Government to pass a Law on Freedom of Assembly soon.
Ago Group commended manpower reforms in the court system in Azerbaijan. "But there is still a shortage of manpower in the provinces. The level of free judicial help is not satisfactory. However, trainings in this area, methods of fighting against corruption and pay rise are praiseworthy. Council of Europe is ready to assist in this regard," said the report.
Ago Group emphasized the importance of transferring constitutional basis to the Law-Court Council, making changes to Election Code and passing law on defamation.
As to the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Ago Group mentioned certain progress in this regard. The fact that Resolution on Situation in Occupied Territory of Azerbaijan was adopted in UN General Assembly on 14 March reflects progress.
Though the Council of Europe does not have authority to intervene in solution of the conflict, it is ready to share its experience in determining the items of the agreement for the peaceful settlement of the problem.
The report also indicated marked achievements in fulfilling commitments that Azerbaijan took before the Council of Europe.
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