Murad Sadaddinov "Unfortunately, we do not have specialists on the level of the European Court"

The due statement was made by Murad Sadaddinov, co-chairman of the Fund for Protection of Democracy and Human Rights, commenting on the decline of the list of 3 candidates for judging in the European Court.

He said of the three candidates nominated from Azerbaijan, two were weaker as compared to Khanlar Gadjiyev.

"This means that deputies considered Gadjiyev's candidacy initially targeted for victory. But,unfortunately, we do not have a second lawyer, who is on Gadjiyev's level and has his experience. Moreover, some people think that a judge from Azerbaijan may influence resolutions regarding Azerbaijan and, therefore, file claims. This information is false and the procedure of consideration of cases rules it out in the European Court", he noted.

He also commented on the importance of the PACE winter session for Azerbaijan. He said the agenda of the session does not include issues directly connected with Azerbaijan, but the discussed issues will include problems of Azerbaijan's concern, for example, discussion of Kosovo's status or the role and responsibility of opposition in the democratic parliaments.

"The session participants will also discuss document 11468 of December 18 of 2007, prepared by the former chairman of the committee for Human Rights Purgurides and signed by 12 deputies. This is a petition on development of a resolution for appointment of a special rapporteur for political prisoners in Azerbaijan.

Rapporteur Andres Herkel may also inform about the situation in Azerbaijan in the Monitoring Committee", Murad Sadaddinov said.

Asked about possible existence of problems between the Council of Europe and Azerbaijan, he said there are no mutual problems between these sides, but there are commitments, which Azerbaijan undertook before the Council of Europe and the Council of Europe monitors their execution on a regular basis.

"Another problem is that Azerbaijan does not fulfill its commitments in full. The issues requiring settlement are fixed in resolution 1545, adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe"

He said the issues include resumption of a dialogue between the leadership and opposition both inside and outside the parliament, improvement of a political climate in the country, resolution of the issue of political prisoners, creation of conditions for independent mass media representatives and stopping pursuits of reporters, introduction of necessary amendments to the Election Code to ensure fair and democratic elections, creation of an independent and just judicial system, expansion of lawyer's corps, combat with corruption, broadening powers of municipal systems, provision of freedom of assembly, improvement of housing conditions in jail, prevention of torture, adoption of the law on alternative military service and national minorities and others.

"I think each citizen of Azerbaijan feels existence of some problems with the aforementioned issues within our society", he noted and added that the settlement of these problems is important, because it is the problem of Azerbaijan and not of the Council of Europe.

/Day.Az/