Azerbaijani MPs slam EP hearings as follow-up of biased, intentional campaign

/By AzerNews/

By Sara Rajabova

Members of the Azerbaijani parliament have slammed the hearings held in the European Parliament on 10 June 2015 on the First European Games Baku-2015.

The MPs considered the hearings as a follow-up of the biased and intentional campaign carried out against Azerbaijan by the President of the EP Martin Schultz, Vice-President Ulrike Lunacek and some other political groups, AzerTac state news agency reported.

“We have already witnessed on several occasions the persistent and purposeful attempts of those groups to include into the agenda of the EP the so-called human rights violation issue in Azerbaijan under various pretexts. It is a regretful fact that this time a grandiose sports event which will open a new stage in the history of the European sports movement has been picked for undermining Azerbaijan’s image,” the statement reads.

The MPs said throughout history, sport has been a factor bringing people representing various cultures and civilizations closer to one another.

They noted that using sports as a tool for achieving political purposes and politicizing any sports events is not acceptable.

“UN Resolution A/Res/69 of October 31, 2014 “Sport as a means to promote education, health, development and peace” also stresses the independence of sport institutions that are responsible for the organization of sport events and Olympic movements. It is crucial that governments, international political organizations and individual politicians respect this independence. Serious importance shall be attached to keeping sports separate from politics and not damaging it by various political views. Sport competitions should continue playing a role of a bridge among nations. It is a very concerning fact the European Games, an event serving noble ideals, has been chosen as a tool for a new biased attack against Azerbaijan,” according to the statement.

The MPs said in the modern age, majority of the world’s states have accepted the supremacy of human and citizen’s rights, noting that Azerbaijan is amongst those states.

“Great amount measures have been undertaken in our country for the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms and these works are still underway. One third of Azerbaijani Constitution has been devoted to human rights and freedoms. A fully independent judiciary system has been established in the country. Since Azerbaijan has entered the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights, each and every citizen of the country has a right of access to the European Court. Alongside this, Azerbaijan continues progressive human rights reforms within the framework of close cooperation with international organizations of which the country is a member. Azerbaijan has formed a democratic system based on respect to human rights and freedoms and there is a political will in the country towards strengthening this system,” the statement reads.

The parliament members further said “as to the ideas raised in the European Parliament concerning the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Azerbaijan, and the arrest of human rights defenders and journalists, it is clear to any person who knows our country very well that these ideas are far from being the truth.”

“The fact that the deputies, the majority of whom have not visited Azerbaijan and thus have very scarce information about it, reflect their considerations about a whole country on the basis of the single-sided information they receive from outside sources and try to teach the state which fully relies on the support of its people, fully contradicts the principles and ethics of parliamentary diplomacy,” according to statement.

The MPs went on to say that there are no human rights defenders or journalists in Azerbaijan who have been arrested due to their professional activities. They said similarly, there is no law existing in the country which provides immunity to the people involved in such activities against being held liable when they perpetrate criminal offences. The MPs noted that the facts that have been used in the European Parliament as a means of pressure against Azerbaijan are related to concrete criminal offences.

“We have to note with the feeling of deep regret that both the European Parliament and the individuals who they call human rights defenders have preferred preserving their silence during the last 20 years about the violated human dignity of more than 1 million Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs who have been deprived of all rights and freedoms as a result of Armenia’s occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven other Azerbaijani regions. This biased attitude, which is the reflection of double standards, is not acceptable,” the MPs said.

They said in fact, Schultz, Lunacek and other members of the Parliament are pursuing a biased attitude toward Azerbaijan, led by the Armenian lobby that has sufficient influence in Europe.

“Sometimes it goes so far that in order to discredit Azerbaijan, Lunacek and some other MEPs resort to such provocative and intriguing acts as appearing in the EP sittings wearing T-shirts with the pictures of criminals who perpetrated offences in our country,” MPs said.

The pointed out that those who have visited Azerbaijan in person and are aware of the situation in this country, including the members of parliament, confirm that Azerbaijan is a really open and free society.

“Indeed, we are not in the position to deny certain violations occurring in the country. Such cases happen in all countries of the world. What is important is that the political will exist in the country is directed towards the elimination of all violations and strengthening the rule of law,” the statement reads.

The MPs said Azerbaijan has passed an unprecedented development during the years of independence, adding that the welfare of the people has increased and the country has been entirely modernized.

“Azerbaijan is developing and strengthening day-by-day. Some “politicians” who envy this development do not give up with their attempts to discredit Azerbaijan exaggerating even minor issues. Unfortunately, serving this purpose, they have also misused the desire of Azerbaijan to conduct the European Games according to the best standards,” the MPs said.

They also added that Azerbaijan is interested in comprehensive development of its relations with the European Parliament on the basis of the principal of equality.

“Nevertheless, such biased campaigns against our country damage the development perspectives of the bilateral relations, and at the same time, undermine the image of the European Parliament. We believe that such campaigns will not impede the successful conduct of the First European Games which will become a significant event in the life of our country and all of Europe. We are convinced that the athletes and sports fans will enjoy these games; the first and the following European games will help the people of Europe to be closer to each other, to understand each other better and contribute to their adherence to common values,” the statement reads.

MPs, who voiced concern over the hearings are Ziyafat Asgarov, Bahar Muradova, Valeh Aleskerov, Siyavush Novruzov, Asim Mollazade, Fazil Mustafa, Ilyas Ismayilov, Igbal Agazade, Sabir Rustamkhanli,Sabir Hajiyev, Khanhuseyn Kazimli, Gudrat Hasanguliyev, Fazail Agamali, Faraj Guliyev, Samad Seyidov, Sahiba Gafarova, Fuad Muradov, Sevinj Fataliyeva, Gulchohra Mammadova, Malahat Ibrahimgizi, Jala Aliyeva, Sevinj Huseynova andSadagat Valiyeva.