Summary: EU Presidency Declaration on Azerbaijan election campaign (28 October 2005: Brussels)
Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the final days of the election campaign in Azerbaijan
The forthcoming parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan will be a decisive test of the strength and direction of Azerbaijan's democratic development. The EU continues to follow the election campaign with great interest and concern. The EU has noted the findings of the OSCE/ODIHR interim reports, and also the statement issued by the pre-electoral mission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 13 October 2005.
The EU welcomes the positive aspects of the election campaign so far, including improved candidate registration procedures and the active engagement of the Government of Azerbaijan with the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission (EOM). The EU also takes note of the Presidential Resolution of 25 October, which could address some of the concerns of the OSCE/ODIHR EOM.
However, the EU notes that there are a number of concerns that need to be addressed urgently in order for the election campaign to meet international standards. The EU urges the Government of Azerbaijan to ensure that freedom of assembly is fully respected, including in the regions. The EU encourages all sides to resume the dialogue on all issues related to freedom of assembly and calls on the authorities to fully respect the rights of all candidates to conduct their election campaigns as
provided by law. In this regard, the EU is concerned at the widespread detentions made on 16/17 October in order to prevent supporters of an opposition candidate from their attempt to greet him at Heydar Aliev International Airport, and will continue to follow subsequent developments closely.
As the EU has made repeatedly clear, there is no place for violence or intimidation in an election campaign. While recognising the need to keep public order, the EU is deeply concerned by the excessive use of force used by some police officers against demonstrators at recent public rallies. For their part, opposition parties should not provoke violent confrontations with the authorities.
The EU is also concerned by reports that there are serious irregularities with the voter ID system. The EU hopes that a speedy solution will be found to overcome the problems identified by the OSCE/ODIHR EOM.
In order to increase public confidence in the electoral process, the EU urges the authorities to examine without delay all complaints referred by the Central Election Commission to the Public Prosecutor for investigation and to prosecute those found to have circumvented the law. The EU also urges the authorities to ensure that all candidates are able to gain equal access to the electronic media and that media coverage of the campaign is unbiased.
The EU firmly believes that Azerbaijan can meet its international obligations and commitments if the political will exists. The EU stands ready to assist Azerbaijan in fulfilling its international commitments, both within the OSCE and other international organisations, and within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy. The EU continues to offer its full support to the OSCE/ODIHR EOM.
The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey and Croatia *, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.
* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
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