International organizations, officials appraise President’s pardon decree

By Amina Nazarli

The international organizations, including the OSCE and the EU welcomed the release of 148 individuals serving jail terms in Azerbaijan following a pardon decree issued by President Ilham Aliyev.

President Aliyev signed the next pardoning order on March 17 to free 148 people, including 16 foreign nationals.

“I welcome this ethical decision by President Aliyev to release such a wide range of people,” OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Ilkka Kanerva said in her statement released on March 17. “We will continue to encourage Azerbaijan to fulfill its OSCE commitments and I look forward to future constructive dialogue and progress.”

Portugese MP, Chairperson of the OSCE PA Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions Isabel Santos is also among the supporters of the decision.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini also welcomed the pardon decree.

"Today, the President of Azerbaijan has pardoned 148 people, including representatives of political parties, NGOs and journalists, to mark the Novruz holiday", she said in her statement placed on the EU website.

The United States welcomes the positive step by the Government of Azerbaijan to release a large number of prisoners, said the statement of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, posted on the website of US State Department.

"We look forward to working with Azerbaijan on additional positive steps", he said.

Under the order, 137 imprisoned people are exempted from serving the remainder of their sentences, six are exempted from serving the remainder of corrective labor, and five are exempted from fine penalties. The order came into force from the date of its signing.

Azerbaijan's MP Fazil Agamali stated that the signing of the pardoning decree by the President on the eve of Novruz Holiday is commendable.

Parliamentary Committee Chairman Siyavush Novruzov, in turn, emphasized that the degree signed by the President is a continuation of the policy of humanism.

The pardoning decree is an evidence of solidarity, democracy and legal state in Azerbaijan, believes MP Bakhtiyar Aliyev.

“This order is a kind of message to the society encouraging people to be united and to refrain from committing crimes,” he said.

This decision is brought joy to hundreds of families, stressed MP Agil Abbas.

“Pardoned people are those who have committed crimes, and have already served part of the sentence. The decree of pardon is a great joy for them and for their families,” the MP said.

The Penitentiary Service of the Justice Ministry has already started the execution of the pardoning decree.