Top rights champion may gain right to re-election in Azerbaijan
The term of the senior rights defender may be
extended in Azerbaijan, which would grant the Ombudsman the right
to serve two terms. A bill citing the proposal to lift a respective
restriction has been sent to parliament, says Rabiyyat Aslanova,
chairwoman of the standing Milli Majlis committee on human
rights.
"A person who commands influence in society and is guided by high principles in his or her activity should not be denied the chance to be re-elected as Ombudsman," the lawmaker said. "I am not talking about a specific person, but, in general, about people who are considered by the public as worthy to hold this post. Such experience exists in other countries. There`s nothing out-of-the-ordinary here."
Under the current legislation, the Azerbaijani Ombudsman, who takes the post for seven years, cannot be reappointed.
Of note, incumbent Ombudsperson Elmira Suleymanova`s term in office expires in July. Upon completion of her tenure, the president is to submit three candidacies to the Milli Majlis, while the legislature is to further approve one of the hopefuls.
A question arises as to whether the incumbent senior rights representative will benefit from the anticipated legislative changes. Constitutional laws in Azerbaijan are initially adopted with a majority of 95 votes and put on repeated voting six months thereafter. The law goes into effect only upon its approval by a repeated vote. Thus, it appears that the next Ombudsman stands the greatest chance at benefiting from the measure. Nonetheless, if the president takes more time to name the potential successors, the situation might change.
"A person who commands influence in society and is guided by high principles in his or her activity should not be denied the chance to be re-elected as Ombudsman," the lawmaker said. "I am not talking about a specific person, but, in general, about people who are considered by the public as worthy to hold this post. Such experience exists in other countries. There`s nothing out-of-the-ordinary here."
Under the current legislation, the Azerbaijani Ombudsman, who takes the post for seven years, cannot be reappointed.
Of note, incumbent Ombudsperson Elmira Suleymanova`s term in office expires in July. Upon completion of her tenure, the president is to submit three candidacies to the Milli Majlis, while the legislature is to further approve one of the hopefuls.
A question arises as to whether the incumbent senior rights representative will benefit from the anticipated legislative changes. Constitutional laws in Azerbaijan are initially adopted with a majority of 95 votes and put on repeated voting six months thereafter. The law goes into effect only upon its approval by a repeated vote. Thus, it appears that the next Ombudsman stands the greatest chance at benefiting from the measure. Nonetheless, if the president takes more time to name the potential successors, the situation might change.
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