PACE rejects Azerbaijan’s delegation over human rights concerns, Karabakh crisis

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has decided to reject the ratification of Azerbaijan’s delegation, citing concerns over human rights violations, persecution of opposition and independent media, and actions leading to the expulsion of the Armenian population from Karabakh.

 

During the winter session in Strasbourg on Wednesday, a draft resolution addressing these issues was put to vote. The resolution garnered support from 76 out of 90 deputies present, with 10 opposing and 4 abstaining. Nine members of the Turkish parliamentary delegation and one member of the Albanian delegation were among the dissenters, while the delegation of the Parliament of Georgia abstained from voting.

 

Based on the monitoring committee’s report, the adopted resolution asserts that Azerbaijan has not fulfilled its primary obligations assumed two decades ago upon joining the European Council. It expresses serious concerns about Azerbaijan’s commitment to ensuring free and fair elections, separation of powers, judicial independence, and the protection of human rights. The resolution also condemns Azerbaijan’s obstruction of the Lachine Corridor and highlights the humanitarian consequences leading to the displacement of the Armenian population from Karabakh.

 

According to the resolution, Azerbaijan has refused to cooperate with the Assembly, preventing monitors from meeting individuals detained for alleged political reasons, and excluding the organization’s monitors from observing the upcoming presidential elections.

 

Before the resolution’s debate and voting, the Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation declared a temporary suspension of cooperation with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. In protest, they left the meeting hall, emphasizing in a statement that the Assembly “failed” to demand accountability from “aggressor Armenia” for violating the rights of Azerbaijani refugees.

 

The delegation contended that a slander campaign against Azerbaijan is underway following its restoration of territorial integrity and sovereignty, characterizing it as a victory over aggression, occupation, and violent separatism. Azerbaijan accused the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe of practicing political corruption, discrimination, ethnic and religious hatred, double standards, and chauvinism.

 

Azerbaijan also viewed the suspension of its authority as an intentional interference in the presidential election process and denounced the Assembly’s actions as a “shameful act”. Baku asserts that “threats and blackmail” are not acceptable forms of communication with Azerbaijan.