ASSA-Irada,
19, May 2008

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) rapporteurs visiting Azerbaijan will study the environment ahead of the country's October presidential elections. Andres Herkel and Evguenia Jivkova told the press Monday that they intended to become closely familiar with the situation with local media and public institutions. The rapporteurs will prepare a report in conclusion of their meetings in Baku, Herkel said.

Jivkova said issues related to the pre-election climate topped the agenda of discussions. "Opposition representatives believe the elections will not be fair and transparent."

The PACE representatives first met with the leaders of non-governmental organizations and political parties. The meeting with NGO representatives was attended by executives of the Election Monitoring Center whose registration was invalidated last week.

The participants mulled overall pre-election environment in the country, the latest changes and addenda proposed for the Election Code and the Law on Freedom of Assembly. NGO leaders informed the rapporteurs of the developments concerning Azadlig newspaper reporter Agil Khalil and his detention, as well as the situation in the domestic advertising market, and what they described as the lack of free television broadcasting in Azerbaijan.

Herkel was mostly concerned over the amendments proposed to the country's election laws. He said statements that the CE Venice Commission welcomed the proposals had no merit.

On Sunday, the rapporteur met with the jailed journalist Mirza Sakit. On the next day, he was expected to call on his brother, Azadlig editor Ganimat Zahid, who is also imprisoned. Herkel said that during the visit, the rapporteurs also planned to meet with the jailed former economic development minister Farhad Aliyev and the editor of Realny Azerbaijan and Gundalik Azerbaijan newspaper, Eynulla Fatullayev.

"The Council of Europe is concerned over the detention of journalists ahead of the elections," he said.

The rapporteurs' visit will last till Wednesday. They are expected to hold a number of other meetings, including those with Azerbaijani officials.