The Voice of Mirza Xazar

Two extensive reports on human rights practices and democracy prepared by Cyprus MP Christos Pourgourides and Azerbaijan reporter Andreas Gross were discussed at the PACE session yesterday.

In the report, Azerbaijan together with Belarus was cited as a country where pressure is being exerted upon people who are involved in protecting of human rights (NGOs, lawyers, journalists). Azerbaijan, Russia and Ukraine are mentioned there as countries facing the problem of court independence, and the problem of political prisoners is not settled, Turan news agency informs. Azerbaijan is also mentioned in the context of tortures and cruel treatment and, Sardar Jalaloglu (deputy leader of the Democratic Party — REGNUM) is sited as an example as he was caused damage “not only because of brutal treatment by police officers, but because of unjust investigation as well.” Gross’s report calls Azerbaijan among the countries where pressure is exerted upon the media and journalists are attacked. Particularly, murder of the Monitor magazine Elmar Guseinov was mentioned.

Azerbaijan is also mentioned among the countries where there are no possibilities for peaceful and non-violent change of power, which is an important criterion for functioning democracy.

(IA REGNUM)