Azerbaijan called friendly state at U.S. Helsinki Commission briefing
By Sara Rajabova
The United States Helsinki Commission, which deals with monitoring the enforcement of documents and provisions of the OSCE and the Helsinki Final Act, held a briefing on July 16.
At the event, moderated by representatives of the commission's secretariat Paul Carter and Shelly Han, the government of Azerbaijan was represented by Azerbaijani Ambassador to the United States Elin Suleymanov and the Head of the Azerbaijan-U.S. Friendship Group, chairman of the committee on international and inter-parliamentary relations of the parliament, Samad Seyidov, who is on an official visit in Washington along with a delegation of Azerbaijani MPs to hold meetings with US officials.
Ambassador Suleymanov extensively informed the attendees about the work of the Azerbaijani government under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev pertaining to democratic state-building, encouragement in building a free society and protection of human rights and the subsequently achieved results.
The ambassador said the Azerbaijani government will make sure that the presidential elections due in October are in line with free and democratic due process. He underscored the fact that the future of Azerbaijan will be decided not in other capitals or countries, but by the citizens of Azerbaijan.
Suleymanov dismissed the allegations related to human rights issues voiced against Azerbaijan, substantiating his arguments by specific facts. He gave an insight into the independent justice system of Azerbaijan, briefing the participants on the registration of close to 5,000 mass media organizations, freedom of expression of Azerbaijani citizens on the internet, the existing dynamic civil society and the attention of the country's government to the development of human capital.
The ambassador spoke of the high level of U.S.-Azerbaijan relations and underscored that the participation of Azerbaijan's ambassador at the U.S. Helsinki Commission is an obvious indication of the importance attached to this relationship. He reiterated that Azerbaijan remains one of the only truly independent states within its immediate geography.
During his speech, the ambassador also cited the Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan and the existence of one million refugees, who were driven out and are not allowed to return to their homes.
He said the situation with refugees is seen by the people of Azerbaijan as an unacceptable human rights violation and this very fact indicates the unserious nature of the allegations related to human rights violations.
Suleymanov reminded of the recent abuse and threats against Moldovan Ombudsman Aurelia Grigoriu in Yerevan, who earlier voiced her position on the Armenian policy of occupation and aggression against Azerbaijan while addressing the Armenian parliament. Suleymanov stated that this fact, in itself, is a gross violation of the Helsinki Final Act principles.
In conclusion, Suleymanov called upon the United States government to appoint a permanent representative to the OSCE Minsk Group and suggested its more active participation in the conflict resolution efforts.
The ambassador also brought to the attention of the U.S. Helsinki Commission that the organization has not yet taken action against Armenia although serious violations were recorded during the latest presidential elections in Armenia.
Delivering a speech at the event, the Head of the Azerbaijan-U.S. Friendship Group, MP Samad Seyidov spoke of the growing regional and global significance of Azerbaijan, the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Azerbaijan, the confidence built between the two countries, as well as Azerbaijan's pursuing an independent foreign policy despite significant external pressure.
Seyidov once again articulated the points made by the ambassador about the occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia. He stated that as a member of the Council of Europe, the importance of Azerbaijan's cooperation with the CoE in discussing various issues, and specifically issues pertaining to the protection of human rights, should be underscored. Seyidov noted that Azerbaijan will assume the chairmanship of the Council of Europe`s Committee of Ministers from May 2014.
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Melia in his remarks regarded Azerbaijan as a friendly state and told the attendees about the expanding bilateral relations in many spheres of mutual interest.
He stated that the US government continues its dialog with the government of Azerbaijan about democratic processes and issues related to human rights, and expressed hope for free and democratic presidential elections in October this year.