The S&D Group in the European Parliament is distancing itself from the findings of the EP/PACE election observation mission of the recent presidential elections in Azerbaijan. The S&D Group is of the opinion that the differences between the EP/PACE assessment and the OSCE/ODHIR evaluation are so striking that the EP/PACE findings cannot be endorsed as they are based solely on an ad-hoc, short-term evaluation. The OSCE/ODHIR missions findings were based on more substantial experience and time on the ground. We come to this conclusion on the basis of longer-term developments and especially the conditions ahead of the elections: There are severe restrictions on the freedom of assembly and expression. Dozens of activists and journalists in Azerbaijan -including a presidential candidate - are wrongfully imprisoned for their political activities. I deplore the fact that some MEPs felt the need to undertake parallel individual missions without an institutional mandate. This June, the European Parliament adopted a critical resolution on the situation of human rights in Azerbaijan. The S&D Group takes the view that this resolution accurately reflects the official position of the institution.
Posted on: Mon, 21 Oct 2013 18:55:35 +0000
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