From: Justin Burke (JBurke@sorosny.org)
Date: Mon Jul 08 2002 - 11:29:18 EDT
AZERB@IJAN
A WEEKLY ANALYTICAL-INFORMATION BULLETIN
No: 27 (329), July 04, 2002
http://www.andf-az.org/news.html
AZERBAIJAN NATIONAL DEMOCRACY FOUNDATION
http://www.andf-az.org/
The publication of this Bulletin is sponsored by the
CANADA FUND
Editor: Ulvi HAKIMOV
Translator: Ruhiyya JAMILLI
Authors: Farhad MAMMADOV, Mustafa HAJIBEYLI
#1. A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY MAY BE BEATEN AT BAKU
AIRPORT
Azerbaijani government threatens a Swiss MP Andreas Gross for demanding fulfilling
the obligations taken before the Council of Europe.
By Farhad MAMMADOV
#2.POLICE OFFICIAL BEATEN A JOURNALIST TO BE AWARDED
Azeri president Heidar Aliev stated approving journalists' beating.
By Mustafa HAJIBEYLI
#3. OPPOSITION MAY BOYCOTT AUGUST 24 REFERENDUM
NIP has already issued a decision about it, and the rest parties have begun
discussions concerning this matter.
By Farhad MAMMADOV
#4.OSCE IS ACCUSED IN SECRET TALKS WITH ALIEV ADMINISTRATION
A draft of election code presented to the international organizations by the
President Apparatus is kept in secret from the Azerbaijani community.
By Mustafa HAJIBEYLI
#5. SEARCHING ALTERNATIVE FOR PRESIDENT'S SON ILHAM ALIEV
According to "The Financial Times", a plan is being prepared to pass the power to
another member of "president's circle", but not to Ilham Aliev.
#6. "CAMPAIGN AGAINST BAKU-CEYHAN IS A POLITICAL ORDER"
Azerbaijani National NGO Forum calls international organizations not give way to
this sabotage.
#7. PRESS RELEASE
Polish youth and student delegation visits Baku.
#8. TWO MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS FEDERATION VISIT BAKU
They will observe the course of retrial of three political prisoners.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#1. A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY MAY BE BEATEN AT BAKU
AIRPORT
Azerbaijani government threatens a Swiss MP Andreas Gross for demanding fulfilling
the obligations taken before the Council of Europe.
By Farhad MAMMADOV
For several days there continue sharp disputes between a Swiss MP Andreas Gross, a
member of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly and monitoring group of the
Assembly on Azerbaijan, and representatives of the Azerbaijani government.
Everything began from that, like in previous session of the PA, at the June
session, Mr. Gross called the Azerbaijani authorities to implement obligations
taken before the Council of Europe, release political prisoners, and adopt changes
to the laws and Constitution, which restrict human rights. Swiss MP known with his
principal position has shown his attitude to the clash happened in Nardaran
settlement near Baku on June 3 in his speech at the latest session of the PA, as
well. Let us mark that on that day the police officers brought dawn fire on the
settlement's inhabitants that were holding protest actions with social claims. As a
result, one inhabitant were murdered, tens of people wounded.
Andres Gross has declared that dispersing nation's dissatisfaction in that form is
"inadmissible" and by implementing obligations taken before the Council of Europe,
the Azerbaijani government authorities must not let violence against the people.
Later, in his statement at the Azerbaijani media outlets, Mr. Gross said that local
Constitution does not permit to Heidar Aliev's presidency for the third term.
Besides, he added that Aliev's suggestion on changing 25 Articles of the
Constitution is against the democratic principles. "25 Articles of Constitution are
not changed at once in any country of the world". It is notable that a referendum
will be held in August 2002 for being approved of those changes. Those changes
encounter eliminating proportional election sequences and holding parliamentary
elections entirely on the majoritarian basis, passing president's authority to
Prime Minister in case if he cannot fulfill his post, and several other provisions
addressed to changing the political system.
As a response to Mr. Gross' statements, all the members of the Azerbaijani
delegation at the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly with the exception of an
opposition MP Gulamhusein Alibeyli, have sent an appeal to the Assembly's
leadership on dismissing him from the monitoring group. However, Mr. Gross has
immediately responded to the appeal and stated that the step of the Azerbaijani
delegation is against the parliamentary democracy. "Whether I am at the Monitoring
group or not is not defined by the Azerbaijani delegation".
At the July 2 session of the Azerbaijani Parliament Andreas Gross was a subject of
discussion for nearly 55 minutes. MPs from the ruling New Azerbaijan Party have
accused the Swiss deputy in "taking a pro-Armenian position", "holding enmity
against Azerbaijan". Even an MP named Hasan Mirzayev warned Andreas Gross not to
come to Baku. "Who can give a guarantee that he will not be beaten at the Baku
airport?" In the words of MP, he cannot come to Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani opposition supported Andreas Gross and called him continue keeping his
principal position. It is notable that Gross criticizing Azerbaijani government for
violating human rights and democracy is not the first time. After having observed
parliamentary elections held in Azerbaijan in 2000, they stated, "had never seen
falsifications made in any country of the world".
<=Back
#2.POLICE OFFICIAL BEATEN A JOURNALIST TO BE AWARDED
Azeri president Heidar Aliev stated approving journalists' beating.
By Mustafa HAJIBEYLI
"A police chief who beat a journalist must be punished"- for nearly the second week
that the entire influential local media outlets are publishing this claim of
journalists in a separate page. The question is about punishing Nazim Nagiyev, a
chief of Baku's Sabael district police department, who used force against a
photo-correspondent of the "Turan" agency Elkhan Karimov. The facts on beating
journalists by the police are often met in Azerbaijan. While dispersing the protest
actions of the political opposition by the police, journalists, as usual, face with
police cudgel. Heads of law-enforcement agencies try, often, to relate these
incidents with not recognizing journalists by the police employees. However, there
have, many times, been met with facts on beating journalists who had special badges
on them and even dressed with uniforms, breaking their video and photo cameras,
etc. As to Mr. Karimov, he was beaten not in a rally, but completely in a peaceful
ceremony; while fulfilling his duties- on shooting the holidays of football-funs
who came to Baku streets in order to express their joy on the occasion of victory
of Turkish football team after the ¼ final match of the World Cup Championship on
June 29, 2002. It is notable that before that there were facts on Nagiyev's using
force against journalists several times. For example, in December last year, he
punched an editor of the "Huriyyat" newspaper Aydin Guliyev.
The incident of beating Karimov was shot with a camera by other journalists being
there and aired by local private TV channels. Karimov has appealed to the
prosecutor organs with the claim of punishing the police official who used violence
on him. In addition, leading mass media representatives of the country have
appealed to the republican prosecutor and President Heidar Aliev in connection with
that matter. But law-enforcement agencies continue keeping silence.
While journalists expected that the president would interfere in that matter and
Nazim Nagiyev would be drawn to responsibility, the press service of the
President's Executive Apparatus has spread a report, which shocked not only media
representatives, but entirely the public; Nazim Nagiyev was awarded with the order
of "Azerbaijan Banner" by the decree of the president dated July 1, 2002. In other
words, Aliev has reacted to the fact of journalist's beating in his peculiar
manner, and with this step, has, as if, demonstrated approving beating a
journalist.
Azer Hasret, chairperson of the Trade Union of Journalists, has estimated that step
of the head of state as "president's giving ground to beating journalists":
"Nagiyev has used violence on the journalists several times, demonstrated a
specific brutality and ill breading. Awarding such a person must be estimated as
approving violence against journalists". Attitude of Mehman Aliev, director of the
"Turan", to the mentioned decree was analogical. He said: "With that decree, the
head of the state, in fact, advises Nagiyev continue beating journalists and not
return from his way".
Remaining those beating journalists beyond responsibility is not a novelty for
Azerbaijan. But awarding such people is met first time. It is terrible precedent,
because police officials wishing to develop their career may think about hunting
for journalists.
<=Back
#3. OPPOSITION MAY BOYCOTT AUGUST 24 REFERENDUM
NIP has already issued a decision about it, and the rest parties have begun
discussions concerning this matter.
By Farhad MAMMADOV
Azerbaijani opposition may boycott the referendum scheduled for August 24, 2002 in
connection with making changes on 25 Articles of the Constitution with the
suggestion of the President Heidar Aliev. It is notable that four out those changes
has principal importance. According to those changes, proportional election system
is abolished, when president cannot fulfill his post, his/her duties are passed to
prime minister, but not to a parliament chairperson, and ordinary majority of votes
is sufficient for being elected a president.
On July 3, Azerbaijan National Independence Party [NIP] has issued a decision on
boycotting the August 24 referendum and called all the political parties "to a
joint struggle against those anti-democratic changes that are against the vital
interests of the country". NIP's chairman Etibar Mammadov has stated in his meeting
with Tomas Barry, a representative of the U.S. National Democracy Institute [NDI],
that a draft of changes to the Constitution were prepared confidential and the time
is not enough for its public discussion in details. In addition, there is little
doubt to falsification of referendum's results because of an election mechanism
adopted by all has not been created in Azerbaijan.
The rest opposition parties have begun discussions on whether to boycott or not the
August 24 referendum and how to prevent becoming valid of the changes considered
anti-democratic, as well. The United Opposition Movement of a number of opposition
parties of the country conducted a round table in order to define which variant
will be more satisfactory. In the words of Arif Haji, a representative of the
Musavat Party represented in the Movement, a decision concerning the referendum
will be revealed soon. However, Musavat's representative did not comment NIP's
decision.
Ali Karimli, a chairman of the Popular Front Party [Reformers wing], stated that if
all the opposition forces unify, then we can make the government to change four
major changes directed towards changing the political system till the referendum.
He called all opposition forces to a struggle against "anti-democratic changes" and
stated that if those changes are not eliminated till the referendum, the party led
by him will issue a decision on boycott, too. Before NIP, the "Vahdat" and
"Democrat" parties issued a decision on boycott. Several opposition representatives
consider necessary beginning mass protest actions in order not to allow becoming
valid of Constitutional changes. Therefore, possibly, a draft of changes to the
Constitution suggested unexpectedly by Heidar Aliev two weeks ago may make tense
the political situation in Azerbaijan. It is notable that Andreas Gross, a member
of the monitoring group of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly on
Azerbaijan, also recalled Aliev's wish of changing 25 articles of the Constitution
at once as "a case never seen in the world".
In observers' opinion, even a boycott decision of major opposition forces will not
prevent Heidar Aliev's ensuring to become valid of those changes and opposition can
prevent "reforms" addressed backward at the political system of the country with
more active struggle.
<=Back
#4.OSCE IS ACCUSED IN SECRET TALKS WITH ALIEV ADMINISTRATION
A draft of election code presented to the international organizations by the
President Apparatus is kept in secret from the Azerbaijani community.
By Mustafa HAJIBEYLI
First information about being prepared a new election code at the President
Apparatus was reported at the local media yet several months ago. Sometimes there
were even recalled concrete statements concerning concrete provisions of the new
code at the media outlets. However, that document has not been published at the
press until now, in addition, official circles have not clarified this news in any
form.
At last, last week Etibar Mammadov, chairman of the NAP [National Independence
Party], revealed that a new election code has been prepared at the President's
Apparatus and presented to the international organizations, concretely to the OSCE
Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights [ODIHR] for an expertise. Mr.
Mammadov even went far and accused the mentioned office of the OSCE in confidential
talks with the Azerbaijani authorities. Mammadov has put forward these accusations
in his meeting with Mr. David Seep, a representative of the U.S. National Democracy
Institute [NDI] to Azerbaijan. NIP's chairman said international organizations show
inattentive attitude to the process of election reforms in Azerbaijan and do not
show sufficient attention whether the Aliev government fulfills obligations taken
before the Council of Europe in this field or not. In his opinion, just because of
that, the Azerbaijani community, as well as opposition parties has remained beyond
the discussions concerning the election reforms.
A head of the OSCE Baku office Peter Burkhart stated that the organization that he
represents is not acquainted with a draft of election code. Following to that, Mr.
Scott Luncel, head of the IFES European and Asian Department, has rejected
Mammadov's accusations. In his statement at the "Turan" agency, Mr. Lunsel stressed
shortcomings exist at the election legislature of Azerbaijan and considering
necessary the participation of all the interested sides and political parties in
the process of implementing electoral reforms. A representative of IFES has called
the Azerbaijani government to reveal documents prepared on election legislature to
the community, as well.
Nevertheless, in the information of the NIP's press service spread on July 2 is
noted that last week representatives of the mentioned party met with Nikolai
Vulchanov, a representative of ODIHR, in Poland and he confirmed a draft of the
election code prepared at the President Apparatus has been presented to his
organization.
It should be noted that it is clearly seen that NIP's leader is very sharp in his
accusations. Because, the responsibility for not revealing prepared draft law to
the public and not organizing its public discussion lies, first of all, on the
Azerbaijani government. Another moment that NIP stressed is that statements of the
OSCE Baku office and ODIHR representatives around that matter do not coincide with
each other. Possibly, President Apparatus that presented a draft of election code
to the ODIHR has not informed about it to the OSCE Baku office.
Nevertheless, the fact remains as fact: electoral reforms are prepared in
Azerbaijan, but relevant draft laws are kept in secret from the community.
<=Back
#5. SEARCHING ALTERNATIVE FOR PRESIDENT'S SON ILHAM ALIEV
According to "The Financial Times", a plan is being prepared to pass the power to
another member of "president's circle", but not to Ilham Aliev.
The Financial Times [Britain] has published an article concerning the latest
political changes in Azerbaijan. In the opinion of the newspaper's analyst touching
on the referendum to be held on August 24 in the country, here the purpose is to
realize bringing a person to power that will protect the interests of the family:
"Parliament chairman is elected by MPs in Azerbaijan and the president appoints
Prime Minister. This is why, Heidar Aliev is interested in passing his post to a
prime minister appointed by himself, but not a parliament speaker when he can not
fulfill his post".
The article says that all the previous elections held were accompanied with
broad-scale illegalities and European experts suppose the results of referendum
will be announced in favor of Aliev's wish, as well.
<AzB>
<=Back
#6. "CAMPAIGN AGAINST BAKU-CEYHAN IS A POLITICAL ORDER"
Azerbaijani National NGO Forum calls international organizations not give way to
this sabotage.
Recently, 64 non-governmental organizations of Europe and America have begun a
campaign against funding the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline by the international
financial organizations.
They have come against funding of the mentioned oil pipeline without any ground in
their statement addressed to the World Bank, European Bank of Reconstruction and
Development, the U.S. Bank of Export and Import, International Special Investments
Bank of Japan, and others.
Yesterday, the National NGO Forum spread a statement stressing that NGOs having
signed on the mentioned document serve to non-healthy political forces. The
statement points out that the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline can not stimulate increasing
tension from the point of view of socio-economic, political and national
relationships in the region, instead, may be a guarantor of sustainable development
in the region: "We think that that statement has been issued with the political
instruction of definite interested circles and creates condition to instigating
international relationships, in particular, extending terrorism". Azerbaijan
National NGO Forum expresses its regret in spreading such a statement by those 64
NGOs without learning the searches and opinions held by their Azeri counterparts
concerning the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline and calls the international financial
organizations not yield to such hazardous activity.
<AzB>
<=Back
#7. PRESS RELEASE
Polish youth and student delegation visits Baku.
On July 4, 2002, a group of 10 persons composed of students from capital and
regional universities, as well as representatives of a number of youth
organizations of Poland arrived in Baku with the invitation of the Azerbaijan
National Democracy Foundation [ANDF]. The purpose of the visit to Baku is to take
part in the Internship program titled "The role of Youth and Student Organizations
in the Democratization Process" carried out by the ANDF within the "East-East"
program of the Open Society Institute. Edita Borkovska, a correspondent of one of
the most circulated newspapers of Poland- "Rzeczpospolita", is also among the
delegation.
During the trip that will continue till July 10, the Polish delegation of students
and youth will hold meetings at the President's Apparatus, Central Election
Commission, State Commission on Student Admission, State Oil Company of Azerbaijan
Republic [SOCAR], Ministry of Sport and Tourism, as well as in political parties
and public organizations, and a number of mass media. There has been planned a
visit of 10-member group of Azeri youth and students to Poland for an Internship in
early August within the mentioned project, as well.
<ANDF>
<=Back
#8. TWO MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS FEDERATION VISIT BAKU
They will observe the course of retrial of three political prisoners.
The International Human Rights Federation [HQ of which situates in Paris] has
interested in the additional legal proceedings on the case of presumed political
prisoners by the Council of Europe- former minister interior Isgender Hamidov,
former defense minister Rahim Gaziyev, and former colonel of the Defense Ministry
Alikram Humbatov.
Two members of the Bar of Paris- Loran Roche and Christen Martino are coming Baku
in order to acquaint closely with the case. Azerbaijani Human Rights Protection
Center reported about it.
<AzB>
<=Back
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The AZERBAIJAN- weekly bulletin is published and distributed via-Internet since
September 1997 in separate Azeri, English, and Russian editions. ANDF publishes the
monthly DEMOCRACY MONITOR of the bulletin materials, articles, and analyses on the
activity of the Movement for Democracy in Azerbaijan in separate Azeri and English
versions to be distributed in the country, as well amongst the international
organizations and foreign readership. You can visit ANDF's Website, get
information, and see photos about ANDF's activity, weekly bulletins and monthly
monitors, and their archives, its partners, international organizations, contacts
to local NGOs, and others on the site:
http://www.andf-az.org/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright (c) THE AZERBAIJAN BULLETIN [AzB] 2002
|
