Azerbaijan, Baku, 30 July / Trend corr . R.Novruzov / The U.S. Commission for Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission) noted a minor progress in human rights in Azerbaijan after the parliamentary elections of 2005, Assistant U.S. Secretary of State for Democracy & Human Rights, representative of Freedom House Chris Walker said in Washington during discussion at the Helsinki Commission of the situation in Azerbaijan on 29 July.
Walker positively assessed participation of local NGOs in observations of upcoming presidential elections scheduled for 15 October. Helsinki Commission believes Azerbaijan has a chance to hold the elections in October in conformity with its engagements to OSCE.
Walker focused on media situation and democratic reforms. He called on the authorities to soften their actions towards journalists, to pay attention to the calls of international organizations and to abolish the laws making journalists answerable for their professional activities.
There are thee imprisoned journalists in Azerbaijan - editor-in-chief of the Azadlig newspaper Ganimat Zahid , founder and editor-in-chief of the Gindalik Azerbaijan and Realny Azeraijan newspapers Eynulla Fatullayev and the contributor in the Azadlig newspaper Mirza Sakit .
A range of press-related projects and appeals have been submitted to the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan. One of them regards pardon to journalists. "President will consider the issues in near future," Head of Socio-Political Department at the Executive Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan Ali Hasanov said to journalists.
The key factor to determine justice of the entire election process and to provide boundless trust to legitimacy of results of the elections is to hold a serious local and international monitoring, Assistant U.S. Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour David J. Kramer said. He criticized cancellation of registration by Azerbaijani courts of the largest independent Elections Monitoring Centre in Azerbaijan in spring.
"We hope to see just, transparent and democratic elections in Azerbaijan," said Kramer.
Azerbaijani authorities promise to hold just and democratic elections.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Matthew Bryza and Azerbaijani Ambassador to U.S. Yashar Aliyev participated in the Helsinki Commission discussions.
The correspondent can be contacted at [email protected]