In Strasbourg, a resolution on EU-Azerbaijan relations was adopted during the plenary session of the European Parliament. The adoption of the solution was preceded by the speeches of the members of the European Parliament, in which some criticized Azerbaijan but at the same time emphasized that Azerbaijan is an energy partner of the EU. The issue of applying sanctions against Azerbaijan is also included in the resolution under many provisions. In particular, it is established:
“The European Parliament calls on the Council to examine targeted individual sanctions within the EU’s Human Rights Global Sanctions regime against Azerbaijani officials who have committed gross human rights violations. Such is the law enforcement officers, especially considering the widespread police violence against political activists, human rights defenders, and journalists”.
With another clause, the European Parliament condemns Azerbaijan’s targeting of the West. The resolution states: “The European Parliament condemns the disinformation coming from Azerbaijan targeting the West, particularly due to Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine.” The European Parliament also expresses its concern regarding the protection of the rights of national minorities in Azerbaijan. It states in the resolution: “The European Parliament deeply regrets the failure to fully implement the Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities ratified by Azerbaijan, which violates Azerbaijan’s commitment to protecting the rights of ethnic minorities: Lezgins, Talyshes, Armenians, and Kurds.”
The policy conducted by the ruling elite of Azerbaijan is also at the center of the attention of the European Parliament. There is such a provision in the resolution: “The European Parliament condemns the activities of the ruling elite of Azerbaijan in several international organizations, the purpose of which is to weaken international criticism against the regime, particularly in the field of human rights, as evidenced by the cases of some current and former PACE members who “carried out corrupt activities” in favor of Azerbaijan.”
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Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
