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