OSCE, EU concerned over Azeri bloggers’ jail sentences
The OSCE office in Baku and the presidency of the European Union
have expressed concern about Wednesday’s convictions of two
Azerbaijani bloggers to jail sentences on charges of
hooliganism.
The OSCE office maintained that, in the opinion of a number of OSCE states, "certain procedural requirements were not fully complied with" in the court case of Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade, who were sentenced to two and half and two years of imprisonment, respectively.
"The Office looks forward to the issuance of the reasoning of the judgment soon and anticipates thorough appeal proceedings to be carried out in full independence and fairness, in line with applicable domestic legislation and international standards," Bilge Cankorel, Head of the OSCE Office in Baku, said in a statement.
The OSCE Office also reiterated its commitment to continuing supporting the Azerbaijani government and civil society in their endeavors to further strengthen democratic values, the rule of law and the respect for human rights in the country.
The EU presidency said in a statement it "regrets that the trial proceedings did not reflect due process" and believes that the court decision may further undermine the freedom of expression in Azerbaijan.
"The presidency recalls that Azerbaijan has committed itself to the principles of democracy, good governance and the respect for the rule of law and human rights, when joining the OSCE and the Council of Europe, as well as in the context of its relationship with the European Union.
"The presidency reiterates that the European Union is willing and ready to assist Azerbaijan in developing its democratic institutions, while offering the prospects of a deeper bilateral relationship within the framework of the Eastern Partnership," the statement said.*
The OSCE office maintained that, in the opinion of a number of OSCE states, "certain procedural requirements were not fully complied with" in the court case of Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade, who were sentenced to two and half and two years of imprisonment, respectively.
"The Office looks forward to the issuance of the reasoning of the judgment soon and anticipates thorough appeal proceedings to be carried out in full independence and fairness, in line with applicable domestic legislation and international standards," Bilge Cankorel, Head of the OSCE Office in Baku, said in a statement.
The OSCE Office also reiterated its commitment to continuing supporting the Azerbaijani government and civil society in their endeavors to further strengthen democratic values, the rule of law and the respect for human rights in the country.
The EU presidency said in a statement it "regrets that the trial proceedings did not reflect due process" and believes that the court decision may further undermine the freedom of expression in Azerbaijan.
"The presidency recalls that Azerbaijan has committed itself to the principles of democracy, good governance and the respect for the rule of law and human rights, when joining the OSCE and the Council of Europe, as well as in the context of its relationship with the European Union.
"The presidency reiterates that the European Union is willing and ready to assist Azerbaijan in developing its democratic institutions, while offering the prospects of a deeper bilateral relationship within the framework of the Eastern Partnership," the statement said.*
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