Lawmaker urges end to co-op with OSCE
Azerbaijan should turn down cooperation with the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), a lawmaker said in
parliament Friday.
Zahid Oruj explained his stance by the feedback of the European security body on the February 19 presidential election in Armenia that he deemed biased.
The OSCE election monitors said the elections were held "mostly in line" with international commitments, despite widespread violations of law and opposition's allegations of vote rigging. The irregularities included ballot stuffing and pressure on opposition candidates.
"The election results do not reflect the will of the Armenian people, as the elections there are conducted under the scenario of the forces that have been in control of Armenia for a long time," the MP said.
Oruj noted that the OSCE election observation mission claimed in its final assessment that the electoral process had been 85% fair. He said this once again showed that these missions played the role of "a tool" during elections held in any given country. "By issuing this feedback, the OSCE morally disgraced itself."
Oruj suggested that the Azerbaijani government should not send an invitation to the organization for the observation of the country's presidential elections due this fall.
He added that Baku should also stop cooperating with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in improving election laws.
Zahid Oruj explained his stance by the feedback of the European security body on the February 19 presidential election in Armenia that he deemed biased.
The OSCE election monitors said the elections were held "mostly in line" with international commitments, despite widespread violations of law and opposition's allegations of vote rigging. The irregularities included ballot stuffing and pressure on opposition candidates.
"The election results do not reflect the will of the Armenian people, as the elections there are conducted under the scenario of the forces that have been in control of Armenia for a long time," the MP said.
Oruj noted that the OSCE election observation mission claimed in its final assessment that the electoral process had been 85% fair. He said this once again showed that these missions played the role of "a tool" during elections held in any given country. "By issuing this feedback, the OSCE morally disgraced itself."
Oruj suggested that the Azerbaijani government should not send an invitation to the organization for the observation of the country's presidential elections due this fall.
He added that Baku should also stop cooperating with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in improving election laws.
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