Region 20:30 02/09/2015

Report: OSCE sends 380 observers to parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan because of violations concerns

Following an invitation from the authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan to observe the 1 November 2015 parliamentary elections, and in accordance with its mandate, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) undertook a Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) to Azerbaijan from 12 to 14 August. Based on the findings of this report, the OSCE/ODIHR NAM recommends the deployment of an election observation mission for these elections. In addition to a core team of experts, the OSCE/ODIHR NAM recommends the secondment of 30 long-term observers and 350 shortterm observers from OSCE participating States in order to cover the vote count and tabulation. The report, which presents the results of the assessment mission, published on the OSCE website.

According to the report, NAM considered previous OSCE/ODIHR recommendations and that some technical amendments made to election-related legislation remain unaddressed, including the formula for composing election commissions, procedures for candidate registration, and mechanisms for handling complaints and appeals. The authorities did not respond to offers by the OSCE/ODIHR to discuss the report’s findings and recommendations on presidential elections in 2013.

The authors highlight that by law, chairpersons of all commissions are nominees of the parliamentary majority which in practice, gives pro-government forces control of all commissions, undermining trust in the impartiality of the election administration.
The reports reads that the official campaign period lasts 22 days, ending 24 hours before election day. A number of OSCE/ODIHR NAM interlocutors stated that the country faces significant challenges with respect to the exercise of fundamental freedoms in the pre-election period, pointing to systematic harassment and criminal prosecution of those who express critical views of the government. Representatives of some parties informed the OSCE/ODIHR NAM that they often face difficulties in obtaining authorization for public meetings and, when approved, that they are often confined to venues that are not easily accessible. It was also stated that meetings held in private premises are often dispersed.

Several opposition parties informed the NAM that they face difficulties in securing office space due to pressure placed on leaseholders by the authorities. Ali Kerimli, the leader of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, remains unable to travel abroad having not been issued a passport since 2005. All political parties and movements met with by the OSCE/ODIHR NAM, nonetheless, stated their intention to participate in the upcoming elections,

Concerns were raised about possible misuse of state resources and an increase in intimidation of voters and potential candidates in the run-up to the elections. While a range of media outlets operate in the country, several OSCE/ODIHR NAM interlocutors stated that the public has limited access to pluralistic views and impartial information. Several opposition parties stated that their views are rarely presented, particularly outside of the campaign period. While it is possible to purchase political advertising, most parties stated that they will not make use of this option due to high costs. Foreign broadcasters are not permitted to access national frequencies.

‘’The media environment is negatively impacted by ongoing detentions, criminal prosecutions, physical attacks, and other forms of pressure on journalists,’’ the report reads. It is also highlights that defamation remains a criminal offence by the Constitution, with a penalty of up to two years in prison, while Article 106 of the Constitution and Article 323 of the Criminal Code prohibit insulting the honor and dignity of the president. A number of media outlets have closed in recent years including the Baku office of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, while the independent newspaper Azadliq faces large fines from several pending defamation lawsuits. 7 The ECtHR has made several rulings on unlawful restrictions on journalists’ freedom of assembly and their ill-treatment whilst in detention.

A number of civil society and opposition parties met with by the OSCE/ODIHR NAM expressed a lack of confidence in the independence of electoral dispute resolution bodies. ’’Although several civil society organizations expressed an intention to observe the upcoming elections, many stated that a lack of financial resources would likely restrict their activities, particularly as a result of changes to NGO legislation that limit the possibility to receive foreign funding. The State Council for NGOs has provided funding to the Citizen Education Public Union to monitor the upcoming elections. The Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Centre (EMDSC) has significant experience in conducting independent and professional citizen observation but remains unregistered by the authorities. EMDSC chairperson, was arrested on grounds of alleged illegal entrepreneurship,’’ the authors say mentioning that Anar Mammadli was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison after the presidential elections in 2013.

It is also noted that each potential candidate must submit 450 signatures of registered voters to their respective ConEC. Opposition parties and several other OSCE/ODIHR NAM interlocutors expressed concerns about potential pressure on voters to refrain from signing in support of their candidates. Concerns were also voiced about the fairness of the candidate registration process.
There are no legal requirements to promote women candidates, although most parties informed the OSCE/ODIHR of voluntary policies. Women are under-represented in public office, holding some 16% of seats in the outgoing parliament, and 1 of the 42 ministerial posts.

Related:
Turan: Azerbaijani authorities close OSCE office in Baku and provoke tightening of relations with West

ODIHR: Azerbaijani government should show political will to eliminate violations during election



Source Panorama.am
Share |
Տեքստում սխալ կամ վրիպակ նկատելու դեպքում, ուղարկեք խմբագրին հաղորդագրություն` նշելով տվյալ սխալը, այնուհետև սեղմելով Ctrl-Enter:

Newsfeed

17:03
Raúl among potential candidates for Armenia manager
Raúl is being considered among the potential candidates for the new head coach of Armenia’s national football team, Armen...
16:46
Putin reiterates Russia's commitment to normalizing Armenian-Azeri relations
Moscow is doing all it can to help relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia to normalize and sees these countries as its natural strategic...
16:30
Colder weather ahead in Armenia
Clear weather is expected in Armenia’s regions on Tuesday and in the next few days. Strong winds of up to 25 m/s are forecast for some...
16:12
Nearly 58% of survey respondents dissatisfied with Pashinyan's performance
According to a Gallup International Association survey, nearly 58% of respondents are dissatisfied with Armenian Prime Minister...
15:31
Global prayer for Armenian hostages in Azerbaijan on the eve of COP29
On the initiative of His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, an ecumenical (global) prayer for peace and justice in Armenia and the...
15:15
Putin receives credentials from new Armenian ambassador
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday received letters of credence from 28 newly arrived foreign ambassadors, including Armenian...
14:43
Azerbaijan has no plans to leave Armenian territories, MP claims
MP Tigran Abrahamyan of the opposition Pativ Unem faction has called attention to the discussion on the sequence of border sections for...
14:05
Georgian travel agency deletes post on Armenia's Lori, unavailable on president's page
Georgian travel agency Adjara Voyage has deleted its social media post describing Armenia's Lori Province as “historical...
13:35
EU officials visited Armenia for visa liberalization talks, deputy FM says
EU officials have travelled to Armenia for visa liberalization talks, Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan said on Tuesday....
13:15
Greta Thunberg boycotts COP29 in Baku
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has announced her decision to boycott the upcoming COP29 climate summit, set to take place in Baku,...
12:59
UN court to deliver judgment on Armenia v. Azerbaijan case on November 12
On Tuesday 12 November, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, will deliver its...
12:33
Opposition MP asks to postpone independence declaration debates
Opposition Hayastan faction MP Gegham Manukyan on Tuesday asked a parliamentary committee to postpone debates on a statement defending...
12:03
Senator Markey: COP29 should be used to hold Azerbaijan accountable for war crimes
U.S. Senator Ed Markey insists that COP29 should be used to hold the Azerbaijani government accountable for its war crimes....
11:34
Armenia appoints new justice minister
Srbuhi Galyan has been appointed Armenia’s new justice minister. President President Vahagn Khachaturyan signed a relevant decree...
11:15
Iranian leader to attend COP29 in Baku
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will attend the COP29 UN climate summit in Baku, the Iranian Embassy in Azerbaijan reported....
11:02
Armenian ambassador says he received death threats from Azeri counterpart in Brussels
The Armenian Embassy has lodged a formal protest with other diplomatic missions in Brussels after its ambassador claimed to have been on the...
17:02
Footballer killed by lightning strike at match in Peru
A football player in Peru has died and more have suffered injuries after being struck by lightning during a match on Sunday afternoon, the Daily...
16:46
On the trail of a post about Lori shared by Georgian president
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili shared on Facebook a post by a Georgian travel agency offering tours to Armenia’s Lori Province on...
16:05
Parliament speaker names ruling party's candidate for Gyumri mayor
Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party has picked Karen Sarukhanyan, a former governor of Shirak Province, as its candidate for the next...
15:42
Pashinyan criticized for failure to congratulate Moldova's president on re-election
Artur Sakunts, a human rights activist who heads the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly-Vanadzor, on Monday criticized Prime Minister Nikol...
15:07
Car crash in Armenia leaves one dead, three wounded
A tragic car crash in Armenia’s Aragatsotn Province on Monday left one person killed and three others injured. The Rescue Service...
14:36
Yerevan mayor says his 'good looks' could make him a target for corruption rumors
Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan denied allegations of corrupt practices involving him as defamation.  “I guess my good looks...
14:14
Putin to accept credentials from new Armenian envoy on Tuesday
Russian President Vladimir Putin will receive the letters of credence from 28 newly arrived foreign ambassadors, including Armenian...
13:45
Legendary music producer Quincy Jones dies at 91
Quincy Jones, a titan of American entertainment who worked with stars from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson and Will Smith, has died aged...
13:30
Rain expected in some parts of Armenia on Monday
Rain is forecast for some parts of Armenia on Monday, with snow set to hit the country’s mountainous areas. Clear weather is expected...
13:04
At least 10 killed after volcano erupts in Indonesia
At least 10 people have been killed after a volcano erupted in eastern Indonesia in the early hours of Monday, BBC News reports, citing local...
12:46
ICRC visits Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan
Employees of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) visited Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan in October this year....
12:26
Spanish king pelted with eggs in flood-hit Valencia
Angry residents booed and threw eggs at Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia as they visited the Valencia region, where more than 200...
12:10
Political analyst: Azerbaijan sitting on the twine
Political analyst Stepan Danielyan has weighed in on the latest developments regarding the Ukraine conflict. In a social media post on...
11:35
Tatoyan Foundation working to expose Azerbaijan's lies about Artsakh
Specialists of the Tatoyan Foundation are doing extensive work to expose the false Azerbaijani narratives about Armenia and Artsakh...

Follow us and get updates!

Most popular articles

{"core.blocks.header.spell_message1":"Selected mistake: ","core.blocks.header.spell_message2":"Send a message about the mistake?"}