Azerbaijani-Americans for Democracy (AZAD) organization releases a petition in protest against removal of term limits on presidency in Azerbaijan

According to the initiative group of AZAD, the petition reflects a unified opinion of a growing number of Azerbaijani-Americans.
 
The petition expresses "grave concerns" about the constitutional changes aimed at abolition of presidential term limits, considers such limits to be "an important safeguard against indefinite one-person rule" and vital for future of democracy in Azerbaijan. It also warns that the proposed changes, allowing for unlimited presidency, will greatly diminish Azerbaijan's reputation in the world, damage the U.S.-Azerbaijani relations and the common interests of the two countries, and undermine Azerbaijan's position in Karabakh conflict resolution. The petition concludes with a call to Azerbaijani authorities to reject these proposals and prove their commitment to "supremacy of national statehood … over the goal of keeping power in the hands of specific individuals or groups".

Full text of the petition is given below:

As members of Azerbaijani-American community, we want to express our grave concerns at the recently initiated legislative process of amendments to the constitution of Azerbaijan Republic including the removal of two term limits on any person serving as president. This would be a notable step by Azerbaijani government towards authoritarianism and away from democracy.

Azerbaijan is a vital ally of the United States and our strategic partner in energy cooperation, the war on terrorism and other global issues. It is imperative for America's national interests, as well as for the well-being of Azerbaijani citizens, to see this friendly country build a stable democracy with whom we can share common values and ideals, among which are the respect to rule of law and peaceful transfer of political power through free expression of people's will.

Having term limits on the highest executive office in the country is an important safeguard against indefinite one-person rule in such a developing democracy as Azerbaijan, where the tradition of government change by election process is not firmly established yet. Creating environment for emergence of alternative forces capable of leading the country, a graceful exit and transfer of power to the next person without violence and political turmoil would be very important indicators of successful presidency by the current leadership. It is vital for Azerbaijan to establish such a precedent of lawful transition, benefits of which we can witness in the United States where this tradition was followed from the country's very first days of existence.

Removing presidential term limits will greatly diminish the international standing of Azerbaijan in regards to democracy and free elections and strengthen the authoritarian image of its government. Such turn of events would be detrimental for the US - Azerbaijani relations, can damage our common interests in the region and impede our efforts in promoting the development of stable and open societies in that part of the world. Azerbaijan's own position and credibility in the negotiations over Karabakh conflict and liberation of its lands illegally occupied by neighboring Armenia may be undermined, which would derail international efforts for a peaceful settlement of that conflict, led by the U.S. and other countries.

We ask the government of the United States and members of Congress to communicate these concerns to Azerbaijani leadership and urge the government of Azerbaijan and its parliament to rejects proposals aimed at removing term limits on presidency, thus demonstrating their commitment to the supremacy of democratic process, national statehood and civil society over the goal of keeping power in the hands of specific individuals or groups.

/Today.Az/