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Paris, 26 September 2003
Over the past few years, the European Union has clearly expressed
its will to play an increasingly important political role in
South Caucasus countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia).
The EU concluded with those countries Partnership and Co-operation
Agreements, according to which « respect for democracy,
principles of international law and human rights [...] underpin
the internal and external policies of the Parties and constitute
essential elements of partnership and of this Agreement ».
During the last Co-operation Councils in 2002, the Parties
agreed that the introduction of the Rule of law and respect
for human rights represented the only way to achieve peace and
stability in the region.
The Human Rights situation in the region is deteriorating instead
of improving, and Human Rights violations are still being perpetrated.
The FIDH highlights the necessity for the European Union to
be consistent with its commitments on Human Rights, as well
as with the positions and recommendations of other European
institutions, such as the Council of Europe and the OSCE. The
European Union must use the occasion of the Co-operation Councils
to demand that Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia effectively
respect Human Rights. The Partnership and Co-operation Agreements
must be applied, and Human Rights principles must be implemented.
On the occasion of those Co-operation Councils, the FIDH publishes
three notes on Human Rights situations in Armenia, Azerbaijan,
and Georgia.
The upcoming presidential election in Azerbaijan, the upcoming
legislative election in Georgia, and the February and May 2003
presidential and legislative elections in Armenia are or have
been essential in assessing the three countries' transition
to the Rule of law. Free and pluralistic elections are a prerequisite
to the establishment of a democratic society. However, election
campaigns in those three countries are characterised by a strained
political context, and restrictions, to different extents, of
fundamental freedoms. Freedoms of press and of expression have
been increasingly restricted. Harassment of Human Rights Defenders
also intensified.
Azerbaijan is the country where Human Rights violations and
restrictions of fundamental freedoms are the most widespread.
In addition, the FIDH recalls that many political prisoners
remain in detention in Azerbaijan, and insists that the retrials
of Messrs Gaziev, Gumbatov, and Gamidov, famous political figures
considered as political prisoners by the Council of Europe,
were held in violation of the right to a fair trial.
In Georgia, increasing manifestations of religious intolerance,
and resort to torture and ill treatment in detention places,
as well the impunity in which the authors of those exactions
are left, give rise to growing concern. In addition, the insufficient
fight against corruption and the growing threats against the
independence of the judiciary remain problematic.
The FIDH notes with satisfaction the abolition of death penalty
in Armenia. However, immediate and significant progress is still
needed in some areas.in order to fill the gap between ratifications
of Human Rights international instruments, and the current deficit
of democracy in the daily life. For instance, the lack of efficiency
and of independence of the judiciary, and the length of trials,
have often been cited as one of the main problems.
Please find attached the corresponding notes.
30 SEPTEMBER
EU
– ARMENIA COOPERATION COUNCIL
2003 FIDH note on Human Rights situation in Armenia
EU-GEORGIA
FIFTH CO-OPERATION COUNCIL
FIDH NOTE ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN GEORGIA
EU-AZERBAIJAN
FIFTH CO-OPERATION COUNCIL
FIDH NOTE ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN AZERBAIJAN
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