ASSA-Irada,
4, April 2008

Considerable progress is observed in Azerbaijan's implementation of its Council of Europe commitments, the head of a CE group said on a visit to Baku Friday.

"Reconsideration of the Election Code and the Law on Freedom of Assembly represents progress," chairman of the CE Ministerial Committee's Ago monitoring group Per Sjogren said. Sjogren pointed to major improvements in the judiciary system but said reforms should be pursued regarding trials to ensure that all sides have equal opportunities in courts.

"This requires increasing the number of judges and lawyers as well as conducting training sessions to raise their qualifications," the expert said.

He said Azerbaijan had the potential to carry out the needed reforms. "The country's economy is rapidly developing and the education level of the population is high, which promises a bright future."

Sjogren noted that the CE supported the activity of the taskforce on "political prisoners". "This work has to continue until the problem is solved."

Azerbaijani officials have repeatedly said there are no political prisoners in the country.

Ago is in charge of tracking the South Caucasus states' compliance with their CE commitments.