CE body calls for postponing referendum
The Bureau of the Council of Europe Congress of
Local and Regional Authorities has requested postponing the March
18 referendum on constitutional amendments in Azerbaijan.
It called for tabling the matter pending the opinion of the Venice Commission on their conformity with European democratic norms, particularly with the European Charter of Local Self-Government.
Holding such a referendum, which will mainly decide on removing a two-term limit on the president, was offered by MPs from the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP). The Constitutional Court approved holding the vote after the proposal overwhelmingly passed in parliament.
In a statement, the Bureau recalled that on February 5, Congress President Ian Micallef expressed his concern to Prime Minister Artur Rasizada on the proposed amendment to an article of the Constitution providing for governmental control of the activities of municipalities, which raises serious concerns and would be problematic with regard to the Charter. It cited its possible inconsistency with certain provisions of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, ratified by Azerbaijan in 2002.
A supplement to the article says that independent work of local bodies should be in line with the country`s sovereignty. Another addendum stipulates that the state is to oversee their activity. In some cases envisioned by the law, municipalities are to report to parliament regarding their activity.
The Bureau welcomed the decision of the Azerbaijani authorities to submit the draft constitutional reform to the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) for opinion, as the Congress president had recommended.
The Bureau regretted, however, that the Azerbaijani authorities planned to go ahead with the referendum on March 18, and requested that it be postponed so that the opinion of the Venice Commission, which will be delivered on March 13, could be taken into account.
However, Ali Hasanov, the head of the President`s Office socio-political department, said the Council of Europe had not made any calls to the government to put off the referendum.
"This statement cannot be construed as the CE`s position. This stance may be expressed by its Parliamentary Assembly or the Committee of Ministers. The Azerbaijani government is cooperating with the Venice Commission and taking into account its recommendations on legal matters, but the referendum is Azerbaijan`s internal affair."
It called for tabling the matter pending the opinion of the Venice Commission on their conformity with European democratic norms, particularly with the European Charter of Local Self-Government.
Holding such a referendum, which will mainly decide on removing a two-term limit on the president, was offered by MPs from the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP). The Constitutional Court approved holding the vote after the proposal overwhelmingly passed in parliament.
In a statement, the Bureau recalled that on February 5, Congress President Ian Micallef expressed his concern to Prime Minister Artur Rasizada on the proposed amendment to an article of the Constitution providing for governmental control of the activities of municipalities, which raises serious concerns and would be problematic with regard to the Charter. It cited its possible inconsistency with certain provisions of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, ratified by Azerbaijan in 2002.
A supplement to the article says that independent work of local bodies should be in line with the country`s sovereignty. Another addendum stipulates that the state is to oversee their activity. In some cases envisioned by the law, municipalities are to report to parliament regarding their activity.
The Bureau welcomed the decision of the Azerbaijani authorities to submit the draft constitutional reform to the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) for opinion, as the Congress president had recommended.
The Bureau regretted, however, that the Azerbaijani authorities planned to go ahead with the referendum on March 18, and requested that it be postponed so that the opinion of the Venice Commission, which will be delivered on March 13, could be taken into account.
However, Ali Hasanov, the head of the President`s Office socio-political department, said the Council of Europe had not made any calls to the government to put off the referendum.
"This statement cannot be construed as the CE`s position. This stance may be expressed by its Parliamentary Assembly or the Committee of Ministers. The Azerbaijani government is cooperating with the Venice Commission and taking into account its recommendations on legal matters, but the referendum is Azerbaijan`s internal affair."
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