Paweł Zalewski's question to the European Commission - "Human rights violations in Azerbaijan"

Question for written answer E-011977/2011
to the Commission
Rule 117
Paweł Zalewski (EPP)

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According to an Amnesty International report published on 16 November 2011, human rights violations in Azerbaijan have been on the increase ever since demonstrations began in March and April 2011, with Azerbaijani citizens calling for democratic reforms and for human rights to be upheld.

A report entitled ‘The spring that never blossomed: Freedoms suppressed in Azerbaijan’ details the wave of intimidations and arrests that followed the protests condemning corruption and the increasing repression of the independent media, NGOs and opposition parties.

The EU ought to step up its support for democratic change in Azerbaijan, and dialogue on human rights ought to be intensified within the Eastern Partnership.

In the light of the above:

– What steps has the Commission taken in response to the recent events in Azerbaijan?

– What is the Commission intending to do to combat human rights violations in Azerbaijan?

Request to the European Commission issued on 08/12/2011

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Answer given by Mr Füle on behalf of the Commission (07.03.2012)

The EU would like to assure the Honourable Member of the importance the EU attaches to the respect of the human rights and rule of law in its relations with Azerbaijan.

As expressed on previous occasions, the EU is concerned by the deterioration of the situation of human rights in Azerbaijan in recent months. No less than nine EU statements were issued in recent months in which the EU expressed its concern about specific cases of human rights violations, and called upon the Azerbaijani authorities to address these violations in an appropriate manner, including through proper investigation.

The EU‑Azerbaijan Cooperation Council and the EU‑Azerbaijan Subcommittee on Justice, Liberty and Security and Human Rights and Democracy that both took place in Brussels on 25 November 2011 offered the opportunity for the EU to convey once more these concerns to the Azerbaijani side. The EU will continue to closely monitor the human rights situation in the country, notably through our Delegation in Baku.