HL Deb 27 March 2001 vol 624 cc20-1WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider that Azerbaijan meets the human rights standards required for membership of the Council of Europe, notably as regards its elections and free media; and, if so, what is the basis for this opinion. [HL1197]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

On joining the Council of Europe on 25 January this year, the Government of Azerbaijan undertook to continue the process of democratic reform in order to meet the standards expected of a member state. This included commitments, which the Committee of Ministers will monitor, to improve its election procedures and to introduce legislation to guarantee freedom of expression.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will press the Government of Azerbaijan to secure the fundamental right to fair elections and free expression in accordance with the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights and its First Protocol. [HL1198]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

The Government will continue to play its part in the Committee of Ministers in pressing Azerbaijan to honour the commitments which it made on becoming a member of the Council of Europe. These included undertakings to hold free and fair elections and to introduce standard legislation to guarantee freedom of expression. The Committee of Ministers has made special arrangements to monitor Azerbaijan's fulfilment of these commitments. This has already led to the re-staging of elections where irregularities have been discovered.