CE urges to submit constitutional changes for review
Ian Micallef, president of the Council of Europe
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, has expressed his
concern about proposed constitutional amendments in Azerbaijan
which are to be submitted to a referendum on March 18.
"The amendments regarding local self-government, in particular those establishing government control over the activity of municipalities, raise the concern that they might be contradicting the European Charter of Local Self-Government, which was ratified by Azerbaijan in 2002," Micallef said.
He recalled Azerbaijan`s commitment, pledged when the country joined the CE in 2001, to amend the current legislation governing the powers of local authorities to give them greater responsibilities and independence, while taking into account recommendations made by the Congress.
"I call on the authorities in Azerbaijan to submit these amendments to the European Commission on Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) for an expert opinion before holding the referendum," Micallef concluded.
Commenting on the statement, MP Fazayil Aghamali said the CE proposal is not timely since campaigns for the referendum are due to start shortly. At the same time, he said that Azerbaijan could approve such decisions on its own, without feedback from any international commission.
"The amendments regarding local self-government, in particular those establishing government control over the activity of municipalities, raise the concern that they might be contradicting the European Charter of Local Self-Government, which was ratified by Azerbaijan in 2002," Micallef said.
He recalled Azerbaijan`s commitment, pledged when the country joined the CE in 2001, to amend the current legislation governing the powers of local authorities to give them greater responsibilities and independence, while taking into account recommendations made by the Congress.
"I call on the authorities in Azerbaijan to submit these amendments to the European Commission on Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) for an expert opinion before holding the referendum," Micallef concluded.
Commenting on the statement, MP Fazayil Aghamali said the CE proposal is not timely since campaigns for the referendum are due to start shortly. At the same time, he said that Azerbaijan could approve such decisions on its own, without feedback from any international commission.
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