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On November 14 Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, is going to present a report on the work done during the six-month chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Azerbaijani newspaper "Azadlig" noted on this occasion that during the presidency of Azerbaijan the authorities, facing international community’s serious opposition, have reinforced the repressions.

As stated in the article proposals of using sanctions against Azerbaijan were included in the agenda during this time. Also a resolution was adopted on this issue. In addition, during this period, Azerbaijani human rights activists who were arrested on false charges, became winners of international awards, they were demanded to be immediately released.

Asked how Elmar Mammadyarov’s report will be appreciated, Gültekin Hacıbeyli, the head of the International Relations Committee of the Azerbaijani oppositional National Council said that during the presidency at the CoE Committee of Ministers Azerbaijani authorities have damaged the country's image.

She stressed that not only political activists have been arrested on false charges, but also public figures and human rights activists. In the same time according to international reports Azerbaijan appeared in the last place on religious tolerance. Even the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland stated that the human rights situation in Azerbaijan is close to its boiling point.

"After the apparent regression in the field of human rights and democracy it is impossible to imagine a report with positive results recorded during the presidency. We could not use this period for the benefit of Azerbaijan. Even the Council of Europe, which had long demonstrated loyalty to Azerbaijan, has expressed its dissatisfaction today with the activities of the authorities," stated Gültekin Hacıbeyli.