International conference “Human rights policy of European Union and Council of Europe: Azerbaijan’s prospects in the framework of European integration” starts in Baku

Human rights activist Arzu Abdullayeva making a keynote speech said the event is devoted to December 10 – International Human Rights Day. She underlined that there are problems in the field of human rights in Azerbaijan and stressed the need for discussions.

Denis Bribosia, special representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in Azerbaijan, spoke about Azerbaijan’s prospects of integration into international organizations. He noted that the process of integration of any country is a long and hard way.

Noting that Azerbaijan undertook commitments when acceding to the Council of Europe, the special representative said freedom of media, protection of human rights, adoption of the law on alternative military service, modernization of the Electoral Code, policy on national minorities, judicial reforms, adoption of the law on local self-government institutions are among them.

He appreciated the preparation of the law on municipalities in Azerbaijan.

Denis Bribosia said mentioning the recent statement of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Terry Davis on the state of media in the country, that the council worries about the state of media.

Ingrid G?ssinger, representative of Europa House in Azerbaijan, underlined that the issue on human rights is debated all over the world.

She said that European Union (EU) has prepared project “European means in Democracy” costing ?2 million. The content of the project is to learn European experience in human rights field, to carry out seminar trainings on this field.

Ms. Gossinger called on NGOs dealing with human rights in Azerbaijan to participate in this project.

CE co-reporter on Azerbaijan Andres Herkel made his speech in Azeri. He said expressing his anxiety about human rights and media situation in Azerbaijan that debates should be held for conduction of reforms.

US ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne Derse spoke about relations between Azerbaijan and NATO. Ambassador bound the situation to country’s not acceding to EU and CE. She said that NATO is not only a military organization, nut also an organization for protection of human rights.

Ms. Derse expressed her satisfaction with Azerbaijan’s integration into Europe and the policy for democracy choosen by the country.

She cited Heydar Aliyev’s opinion “Azerbaijan’s path is a democracy” and stressed her satisfaction with the adherence of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to this path.

“We support Azerbaijan's political choice. We believe that integration is the best way which will ensure independence and security of Azerbaijan,” she said.

Azerbaijani Ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova also addressed the event and stressed the conduction of political and economic reforms in our country and spoke about the improvement of judicial system within the last few years

She said there are some problems in the field of human rights and regular debates are conducted and measures are taken to fight them.

/APA/