(AGENPARL) - Roma, 24 Gennaio 2024 - (AGENPARL) – mer 24 gennaio 2024 Image
PRESS RELEASE
Communication Division
PACE 009 (2024)
PACE resolves not to ratify the credentials of Azerbaijan’s parliamentary delegation, citing a failure to fulfil ‘major commitments’
The Assembly also cited the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, noting that Azerbaijan’s leadership “did not acknowledge the very serious humanitarian and human rights consequences” stemming from the lack of free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor, and recalling the Assembly’s condemnation of the September 2023 military operation “which led to the flight of the entire Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and to allegations of ‘ethnic cleansing’.”
Finally, the resolution cited a number of examples of “lack of co-operation” with the Assembly, including that its monitoring rapporteurs were not allowed to meet with persons detained on allegedly politically motivated charges, it had not been invited to observe the forthcoming presidential election, and other PACE rapporteurs had been refused visits to the country.
“The delegation of Azerbaijan may resume its activities in the Assembly when conditions provided by the Rules of Procedure are met,” said the parliamentarians.
Today’s decision concerns only the credentials of the Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation. Azerbaijan continues to be a full member of the Council of Europe.
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
The Assembly brings together 306 members from the national parliaments of the 46 member states. President: Theodoros Rousopoulos (Greece, EPP/DC) – Secretary General of the Assembly: Despina Chatzivassiliou-Tsovilis. Political groups: SOC (Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group); EPP/DC (Group of the European People’s Party); EC/DA (European Conservatives Group & Democratic Alliance); ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe); UEL (Group of the Unified European Left).
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