12:28, 29 January 2008

PACE can appoint a new Rapporteur on political prisoners in Azerbaijan

The authorities of Azerbaijan will have to release all political prisoners and journalists. Should the demand of the PACE be ignored, the Council of Europe will announce the name of a new Special Rapporteur on the problem of political prisoners in Azerbaijan. This was stated today by human rights defender Saida Godzhamanly.

Let us note here that these issues will be discussed during a visit to Azerbaijan (on February 4-10) of Andreas Herkel and Eugene Zhivkova, Special Rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). Should the demand be ignored, on March 13, the sitting of the PACE Bureau will appoint Special Rapporteur on political prisoners.

On the other hand, it became known to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent from well-informed sources that Dick Martin, Swiss parliamentarian, who until recently headed the Commission of the Council of Europe on investigation of operation CIA's secret prisons in the territory the Europe, can become the new Special Rapporteur.

Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent