Professionals' views on Azerbaijani Constitution

APA addressed the professionals to find out if the highest legislative act meets the modern norms and standards.

The Chairman of the Standing Parliamentary Commission on Legal Policy and State Structure, Ali Huseynov said that Azerbaijani Constitution reflects all progressive views and Heydar Aliyev headed the state commission concerning the preparation of the Constitution. "At that time the problem of the Azerbaijani language was in the center of discussions and this document was accepted. While preparing this document the practice of a number of progressive countries was studied," Mr.Huseynov said.

The chairman sees no need for the amendment to the Constitution in the nearest future. "The power distribution is in perfect order. The question is our people should read the Constitution. We form a democratic state and at the same time we are Muslims. Every Azerbaijani ought to know Koran and Constitution. Constitution Day is one of the great holidays," he said.

He also expressed his attitude towards the abolition of death penalty. "The abolition of death penalty in the nearest future is reflected in the Constitution accepted in 1995. Most norms in the Constitution are formed on the basis of modern norms. The problems concerning the human rights are also on the level of modern norms," Gulamhueyn Alibayli the lawyer said.

The main insufficiency in the document is connected with power distribution. Though the power distribution principle is officially declared, there are a lot of advantages in the favor of the Executive powers. The authority of the legislative power is limited and the authority of Executive powers is unlimited. Constitutional norms are declarative. There is a need for the amendment to the Constitution especially for the amendment to the power distribution and Election Code. Speaking about the death penalty he said that when Azerbaijan joined the convention on the abolition of death penalty there was a note there. We keep the right of restoration the death penalty. As Azerbaijan is at war at the moment there is a need for keeping this problem in the Constitution.