The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Azerbaijan.

The resolution had been tabled by the PES, Greens/ALE, EPP-ED, ALDE, UEN and GUE/NGL groups.

It refers to the forthcoming parliamentary elections on 6 November 2005 and deplores the refusal of the Azerbaijani authorities to grant authorisation for opposition rallies in the requested places in the centre of Baku. Parliament notes the events which took place on 25 September and 1 and 9 October 2005 when the police violently prevented thousands of opposition activists belonging to the Azadlig bloc from holding a rally in Baku in defiance of a government ban, beating up journalists and arresting dozens of protesters. It condemns the disproportionate and violent measures taken by the police against the demonstrators, and calls for the immediate release of all those detained, and a full investigation into the abovementioned events, including the responsibility of the law enforcement units. Parliament wants the Azerbaijani authorities to respect freedom of assembly and to ensure that the forthcoming parliamentary elections will fully meet recognised international standards.

Members welcome the release from custody by the Ukrainian judicial authorities of Rasul Guliyev, a leading opposition figure who has registered as a candidate in the elections.

Parliament is worried about the situation concerning the opposition media and cases of abuse and attacks on journalists as well as threats and acts of defamation, pressure and harassment against human rights defenders. It urges the authorities to pay special attention to the freedom of journalists and the media, and to take immediate steps to protect journalists following a wave of violence against media representatives. Azerbaijan must also secure the independence of the judiciary and implement the Council of Europe recommendations on the treatment of political prisoners, following widespread and credible allegations of torture and ill-treatment.

The resolution goes on to stress that the overall assessment of the democratic credentials of the elections will influence the decision to start working on a new Action Plan for Azerbaijan, which should be focused on the development of a genuine democracy and respect for human rights and the rule of law. Parliament calls on the Commission, in this regard, to coordinate its action with the Council of Europe and to make every effort to support and strengthen civil society. It welcomes the Commission's recommendations on a significant intensification of relations with Azerbaijan and urges the Commission to continue to provide the necessary assistance to the Azerbaijani Government so that it implements the legal and institutional reforms in the field of human rights and the rule of law.

Parliament urges the Azerbaijani authorities to effectively tackle corruption in the country.

Lastly, it calls on the Azerbaijani Government to solve the problem of direct air flights between Baku and the northern part of Cyprus in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization standards in order to secure the development of the ENP together with all the countries of the South Caucasus.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Azerbaijan.

The resolution had been tabled by the PES, Greens/ALE, EPP-ED, ALDE, UEN and GUE/NGL groups.

It refers to the forthcoming parliamentary elections on 6 November 2005 and deplores the refusal of the Azerbaijani authorities to grant authorisation for opposition rallies in the requested places in the centre of Baku. Parliament notes the events which took place on 25 September and 1 and 9 October 2005 when the police violently prevented thousands of opposition activists belonging to the Azadlig bloc from holding a rally in Baku in defiance of a government ban, beating up journalists and arresting dozens of protesters. It condemns the disproportionate and violent measures taken by the police against the demonstrators, and calls for the immediate release of all those detained, and a full investigation into the abovementioned events, including the responsibility of the law enforcement units. Parliament wants the Azerbaijani authorities to respect freedom of assembly and to ensure that the forthcoming parliamentary elections will fully meet recognised international standards.

Members welcome the release from custody by the Ukrainian judicial authorities of Rasul Guliyev, a leading opposition figure who has registered as a candidate in the elections.

Parliament is worried about the situation concerning the opposition media and cases of abuse and attacks on journalists as well as threats and acts of defamation, pressure and harassment against human rights defenders. It urges the authorities to pay special attention to the freedom of journalists and the media, and to take immediate steps to protect journalists following a wave of violence against media representatives. Azerbaijan must also secure the independence of the judiciary and implement the Council of Europe recommendations on the treatment of political prisoners, following widespread and credible allegations of torture and ill-treatment.

The resolution goes on to stress that the overall assessment of the democratic credentials of the elections will influence the decision to start working on a new Action Plan for Azerbaijan, which should be focused on the development of a genuine democracy and respect for human rights and the rule of law. Parliament calls on the Commission, in this regard, to coordinate its action with the Council of Europe and to make every effort to support and strengthen civil society. It welcomes the Commission's recommendations on a significant intensification of relations with Azerbaijan and urges the Commission to continue to provide the necessary assistance to the Azerbaijani Government so that it implements the legal and institutional reforms in the field of human rights and the rule of law.

Parliament urges the Azerbaijani authorities to effectively tackle corruption in the country.

Lastly, it calls on the Azerbaijani Government to solve the problem of direct air flights between Baku and the northern part of Cyprus in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization standards in order to secure the development of the ENP together with all the countries of the South Caucasus.