Azerbaijan, Baku / Тrend corr S. Ilhamgizi / Discussions at a meeting between Azerbaijani human rights activists with the Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Rene van der Linden, were violation of human rights and freedom of meeting in Azerbaijan, a human rights activist, Saida Gojamanly, reported. The Chairman of PACE while on a visit to Azerbaijan met with heads of NGOs and human rights activists.
The heads of Azerbaijani human organizations, Saida Gojamanly, Sahib Mammadov, Uzeyir Jafarov, Elchin Behbudov and Eldar Zeynalov attended the meeting.
Linden was informed of the detention of seven journalists in Azerbaijan, on obstacles of holding protest action by the opposition, as well as of formation of election commissions on a non-parity basis.
Human rights activists reported that the policemen, who used violence during a confrontation that occurred after the presidential elections in October of 2003, have not been punished yet. This causes doubts that the forthcoming elections will be held democratically. The activists expressed their discontent on the detention of prisoners who need medical assistance.
"The Chairman of PACE noted that he was keeping the situation on the forthcoming presidential elections in Azerbaijan under hard control. Linden added that jointly with the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe he will try to make changes to the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. After the meeting with the authorities he will raise the issue of the release of the journalists," Gojamanly said.
According to her, several days ago human rights activists in Strasbourg discussed the problems with Linden. The discussions were continued in Baku.