Day.Az interview with Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences Human Rights Institute Director Aytan Mustafazade.
Day.Az: Recently, the Human Rights Institute held a round table dedicated to the protection of rights of refugees and internally displaced persons in international organizations. What was the reason for the choice of theme? Aytan Mustafazade: I have to say with regret that the third generation of every eight Azerbaijanis live in internally displaced families, not in their homeland, not in homes of their ancestors. They look forward returning to their lands. These people live under vague conditions largly because Armenia delays resolution to the Karabakh conflict. Of course, the government helps these people solve their housing and education problems, pensions, health care. But, nevertheless, the problem remains a problem.
Azerbaijan has been an equal and active participant in international organizations for many years. The country meets all its commitments, ratifies documents and integrates into Europe. The country has gradually acquired a status of a strategic partner of many countries, an image of a sufficiently respected state, which is reckoned with in the world.
However, international organization prioritize issues related to a right to elect, freedom of speech, gender equality when human rights in Azerbaijan are main point. This, of course, important component of human rights. But to discuss these issues while saying nothing about violation of rights of one million Azerbaijanis who are displaced within their own country for already 20 years is at least unfair. This approach is bewildering.
International organizations take no effective steps to restore violated rights of this category of people, to punish aggressor, individuals responsible for past crimes, as well as those who ordered them, but make non-binding statements about the aggressor country.
Azerbaijan’s obligations to international organizations are reciprocal. Not only participant countries are entrusted with certain obligations, but also the organizations for their part undertake to provide protection to all participating countries, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity. We are fulfilling our obligations, and not because we are expected to do so, but for our own purposes and because Azerbaijan, its people had chosen such a course of their development.
We are building a democratic society, and this is lengthy process. It does take place for a specific period of time. The changes do not occur instantaneously. Coming out of the totalitarian system, we had to change many things.
Therefore reforms were implemented in the justice system, electoral system, and, by and large, changes were made to legislation. However, occupation of part of Azerbaijan’s territory and the presence of large numbers of internally displaced persons inhibit country’s development. In such circumstances, international organizations speaking with Azerbaijan with claims is unfounded.
Q: What claims do you mean?A: Far-fetched, inflated claims about violation of rights in Azerbaijan, for example concerning freedom of speech. They need to search the other country with so much media per capita.
There are various parties in Azerbaijan including radical opposition ones. In fact, they are not active now which is probably due to decline in their electorate. I think this happened because the country is experiencing steady economic and social development. Life conditions of people have improved.
Of course, there are still many problems that need to be solved. Both society and government pursues a certain goal. This is a development. The goal is to raise living standard through solving economic, social and political problems. A major political issue is a resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, rehabilitation rights of 1 million displaced people.
Q: What is the reason for reduced attention of international organizations to the refugee problem in Azerbaijan? UN, for example, ceased food assistance to Azerbaijani refugees after victims of Armenian aggression moved from tent camps and wagons to normal houses in recent years. Does it mean only poor third world countries, like Africa, can draw attention to such humanitarian issues? A: If role of international organizations, specifically the participating countries, limited to economic aid, it is another matter. But this is a political organization! We do not need their economic, humanitarian assistance. We are able to provide our citizens. But what about fundamental human rights? They do need to be restored. I mean also people in other countries! Rights of every eighth citizen in our country have been violated by the neighboring state. Why to keep silent about it?
Therefore we are not talking about economic, but political aspect. As to the ccupied lands, it is impossible not to recognize the fact of aggression and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Because, first of all, the precedent is dangerous, and secondly, Azerbaijan has become a stronger, more authoritative. We have an opportunity to our rights. International organization whose purpose is to protect human rights do not react to these statements we make.
In addition to all other rights, their right to property and healthy lifestyle have also been violated. People who were accustomed to engage in agriculture have to live even under different climatic conditions due to certain unfortunate circumstances. The country faces such economic damage only for the infringement of only one of these rights.
As a result of Armenian aggression, a number of fundamental rights of these people have been infringed.
/Day.Az/