Farhad Ahmedov: "Azerbaijan is no more a totalitarian state but it has not become fully democratic yet"

Functioning of democratic institutions in Azerbaijan

Dear colleagues!

Azerbaijan has always been a gate from Europe to Asia.

Several days ago I visited Baku as a member of the Russian delegation and attended the event on the 90th anniversary of the Parliament of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the first democratic and secular republic in the Islamic world.

Though the first republic survived only for two years-in 1920 it was replaced by the 70 year Soviet regime-it has remained the source of inspiration for the country.

Now the Azerbaijani delegation includes several beautiful and clever women, which is a reflecting growing emancipation and notably 90 years ago women in Azerbaijan, unlike most European countries and the United States- had a right to vote, which is a pride. Another proof of this fact is an international forum held last week in Baku under the auspices of the first lady of Azerbaijan on growing tolerance and mutual understanding in "the role of women in inter-cultural dialogue".

Azerbaijan's economy is growing. The start to it was promoted by the contract of the century, ensuring reliable oil supplies to Europe. This and other successful programs resulted in the persistent GDP growth within 6 years and in the coming years (here the highest economic growth rates in the world for today are implied).

Economic stability combined with the plans of the government led to rise in investments to social infrastructure, roads, housing building, education and healthcare of the population, preservation of its heritage, reconstruction of museums, theaters, parks, raising level of social responsibility of the state, which resulted in provision of refuge for a million of refugees.

Today Azerbaijan is a peaceful, economically and political stable countries, which has never attacked other countries, is a state of religious tolerance, where there is no place for terrorism and Islamic radicalism.

Being gates between Asia and Europe, Azerbaijan may become a model of stable, modern state, following the way of democracy.

Some aspects of the current situation before elections may arise criticism, but positive steps can not be ignored.

Azerbaijan intends to ensure adherence to all CE and OSCE demands for the upcoming elections. President Ilham Aliyev has previously been leading the Azerbaijani delegation at this assembly.

The incumbent president will not be the only candidate. He is expected to have at least 4 opponents.

At the same time, I would like to note that some opposition representatives, speaking for replacement of powers under democratic slogans, will hardly be able to propose a real alternative to the current political course: they have neither an exact program not a team for its execution.

The election process does not only imply but also demonstrate the existence of an organized opposition and development of political democracy.

I remember that in period of my being international observer during parliamentary elecitons of 2005, President Aliyev, by recommendations of the Council of Europe, applied procedure of inking voters' fingers. At the time when international organizations recognized this as a positive step towards democratic development, most voters regarded this procedure as humilating and violating their rights.

The meetings with the Venice Commission for the purpose of disussing the new Law on elections and provision of reforms, including issues on the format of election campaign and allocation of free TV and radio time will be held in Baku in mid July.

During my recent visit to Baku I had a chance to witness the significant progress in the sphere of freedom of speech both in state and independent newspaper and TV companies.

I saw the country, where level of freedom of speech, recognition of supremacy of law and human rights has risen.

At the same time, the outlook of the Azerbaijani society, formed through centuries, has been influenced by totalitarian regime through the last century. It can hardly be expected that this outlook will change within two decades. It would be fair to say that Azerbaijan is no more a totalitarian state, but it has not become fully democratic. Thus, it is now early to demand the absolute compliance of state and public institutions of Azerbaijan to CE standards.

I remember well the Azerbaijan, where I was bought and which I left at the age of 15- Azerbaijan which was under Soviet regime.

Now I see a new country, the country with a young dynamic leadership, the country, which, I am sure, strives for creation of a stable and economically developed democracy.

This democracy is just emerging and I think it is early to expect from it to become the full civil democracy. We should not forget that "Rome was not built in a day".

Primarily, we, together with the OSCE, should help Azerbaijan hold fair and transparent presidential elections.

June 24, 2008. Strasbourg

Farhad Ahmedov,

member of the Federation Council of Russia's Federal Assembly