Ruling party exec says Freedom House report biased
An executive of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party has dismissed an
assessment of US rights watchdog Freedom House as biased.
"The group's annual report on the level of freedom in world countries contradicts reality," MP Aydin Mirzazada said. "The document cited none of the positive changes that occurred in Azerbaijan of late. All the conclusions made are general and it is unclear what facts they are based upon."
The worldwide survey of freedom issued on January 16, 2008 said that in the formerly communist countries of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan-all countries with "entrenched authoritarian leaderships" and growing energy wealth-registered declines in 2007. Former democratic aspirants Georgia and Kyrgyzstan also moved backwards in 2007. In contrast, however, the countries of Eastern and Central Europe continued to move ahead with the process of democratic consolidation, the watchdog said.
Referring to Freedom House's claim that no democratic elections are held in Azerbaijan, Mirzazada said: "If this were the case, how could the 23 opposition and independent members have been elected to the Azerbaijani parliament?"
The party executive also disagreed with the allegations that Azerbaijani courts are controlled by executive authorities.
"Our judges are elected to judiciary bodies through tests. The process is transparent and overseen by both international and local non-governmental organizations. None of those who have taken the tests so far has voiced discontent. In this case, how can the executive branch of power form the judiciary?" Mirzazada queried.
He added that Freedom House had prepared a report on Azerbaijan several years ago "and has been merely repeating it every year".
"The group's annual report on the level of freedom in world countries contradicts reality," MP Aydin Mirzazada said. "The document cited none of the positive changes that occurred in Azerbaijan of late. All the conclusions made are general and it is unclear what facts they are based upon."
The worldwide survey of freedom issued on January 16, 2008 said that in the formerly communist countries of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan-all countries with "entrenched authoritarian leaderships" and growing energy wealth-registered declines in 2007. Former democratic aspirants Georgia and Kyrgyzstan also moved backwards in 2007. In contrast, however, the countries of Eastern and Central Europe continued to move ahead with the process of democratic consolidation, the watchdog said.
Referring to Freedom House's claim that no democratic elections are held in Azerbaijan, Mirzazada said: "If this were the case, how could the 23 opposition and independent members have been elected to the Azerbaijani parliament?"
The party executive also disagreed with the allegations that Azerbaijani courts are controlled by executive authorities.
"Our judges are elected to judiciary bodies through tests. The process is transparent and overseen by both international and local non-governmental organizations. None of those who have taken the tests so far has voiced discontent. In this case, how can the executive branch of power form the judiciary?" Mirzazada queried.
He added that Freedom House had prepared a report on Azerbaijan several years ago "and has been merely repeating it every year".
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