Editor's note.: updated after first paragraph (first version was posted at 18:37)
Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 24 / Trend K. Zarbaliyeva /
Ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova appealed to the Azerbaijani Parliament to declare an amnesty, the ombudsman's office said.
As a result of reforms in the protection of human rights, major changes have taken place in the entire legal system in Azerbaijan, many laws ensuring human rights were adopted, said the appeal.
"In these transformations, a special place belongs to amnesty and pardon. Amnesty policy was laid down by the National Leader Heydar Aliyev. Under the leadership of Ilham Aliyev - a worthy successor of the great leader Heydar Aliyev - were adopted nine acts of amnesty and 48 pardon decrees, which is a manifestation of democratic humanism. Tens of thousands of people returned to their families and society. The last acts of amnesty have been adopted upon the initiative of the First Lady of Azerbaijan, MP Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva and affected thousands of people," said the appeal.
The appeal says that this year is rich for the anniversaries of national and internationally important historical events, including 20th anniversary of state independence, 10th anniversary of the Constitutional Law on Commissioner for Human Rights adopted on National Leader Heydar Aliyev's initiative, 10th anniversary of Azerbaijan's joining the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and European Convention for the Prevention of Torture. The 45th anniversary of the adoption of International Pacts on "Civil and political laws" and "Economical, social and cultural laws", and the 35th year of coming to force of these pacts will be also marked this year.
It was noted that according to the Constitutional Law's article #1.5 on Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman), the Ombudsman can submit proposal on proclamation of amnesty to the Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Taking all this into account ombudsman offered to adopt amnesty act.
The Commissioner's appeal expressed confidence that adoption of this act of amnesty will demonstrate Azerbaijan's commitment to democratic values and principles of humanism as a democratic ad legal state and the lawmakers will support this act.