Parliament approves Baku Declaration of Presidents’ Summit [UPDATE]

By Azernews

By Amina Nazarli

The Azerbaijani Parliament opened its next meeting of the autumn session on October 28.

The Parliament focuses on 25 issues including agreements of Azerbaijan with different countries, amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences, Criminal Code, and Customs Code, Mass Media and Telecommunication and more.

The session started with the approval of the Baku declaration of presidents of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia.

The declaration, signed as a final document of the August 8 summit in Baku with participation of Presidents of Ilham Aliyev, Vladimir Putin and Hassan Rouhani , has received a positive assessment of MPs.

They said that along with the development of relations between the three countries, this declaration will contribute to the preservation of stability in the region.

In this declaration, the parties said that they will continue the comprehensive development of equal and mutually beneficial trilateral format of cooperation in different sphere including culture, tourism and business, as well as will take effective measures to develop the transportation and communication infrastructure.

The MPs also discussed amendments to the Criminal Code, particularly a proposal to fine persons forcing third parties to adhere to any religion (religious movement) on the grounds of religious hatred, radicalism and fanaticism, including forcing them to perform religious rites and ceremonies, to participate in religious rites and ceremonies, and religious education.

Those people will be fined in amount of 7,000-9,000 manats ($4,200-$5,400) or imprisonment from two to five years. 

According to another proposed change to the Code, for acts committed on the grounds of religious hatred, religious radicalism and religious fanaticism, offenders will be punished by imprisonment of 14-20 years or even life imprisonment.

In addition, for the creation and participation in armed units or groups motivated by religious hatred, religious radicalism and religious fanaticism, offenders will be punished from six to 10 years of imprisonment.
The amendments were voted on and adopted by the Parliament.

The parliamentarians further discussed amendments to the "State Duty" law.  Following the discussions, the MPs approved introduction of new taxes for freight vehicles varying from $300 to $500. 

Another issue discussed at the plenary session was amendment to the Tax Code providing an exemption from taxation winnings in sport games of chance. Currently, the tax rate for such games is 10 percent.

The issue was presented to voting and approved.