This week, Armenia pressed for a peace treaty ahead of COP 29, Azerbaijan saw an increase in the execution of ECHR decisions, and Bakhtiyar Hajiyev refused to participate in his own trial.
Armenia Urges Azerbaijan: Sign Peace Before COP29
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has urged Azerbaijan to sign the agreed-upon terms of a peace treaty before the upcoming COP29 conference in Baku.
During a United Nations discussion on “Leadership for Peace,” Pashinyan emphasized Armenia’s readiness to finalize a peace agreement, highlighting that 80% of the treaty, including 13 articles and two partially agreed-upon articles, has already been negotiated. This call for peace follows a history of conflict, notably the 44-day Second Karabakh War in 2020, after which Azerbaijan regained control over parts of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts.
Despite these negotiations, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has criticized Armenia for removing unresolved clauses from the treaty draft, which he deemed essential for a comprehensive peace agreement. He also stated that Azerbaijan would not step back from its position and does not require mediators, referencing Azerbaijan’s unilateral actions in border delimitation and the return of territories. The ongoing tension shows both nations holding firm to their demands and perspectives on the path to reconciliation.
36% of ECHR Decisions Now Executed in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan has shown improvement in implementing the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decisions, according to recent data. Legal expert Khalid Agaliyev highlighted that as of early 2024, Azerbaijan had a backlog of 469 cases, with only 25% executed. This was the lowest rate among Council of Europe member states. However, by mid-September, the number of decisions increased to 497, with 177 executed, a slight improvement to 36%.
Agaliyev provided a comparative perspective, noting that Russia, expelled from the Council of Europe, has executed only 32% of ECHR decisions. Other countries like Albania, Georgia, Malta, Ukraine, and Armenia have significant percentages of unexecuted decisions. In contrast, Andorra and Liechtenstein have executed all ECHR decisions, while countries like Sweden, Slovenia, Austria, Iceland, and the UK have minimal compliance issues.
The immediate consequence of this improvement is a slightly better international standing for Azerbaijan regarding human rights compliance. However, with 64% of decisions still pending, significant challenges remain.
Azerbaijani Activist Boycotts Own Trial, Cites Injustice
Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, a prominent public activist in Azerbaijan, has refused to participate in his ongoing trial, citing a lack of fair judicial process. The trial, which resumed on September 25 after Hacıyev had been detained since December 2022, unfolded at the Baku Serious Crimes Court under Judge Ali Mammadov. Hacıyev protested against state prosecutor Eldar Hemzey, accusing him of violating procedural laws and being involved in the politically motivated arrests of activists, a claim substantiated by Hemzey’s inclusion in a U.S. Congress list for potential sanctions.
Hemzey defended his actions by dismissing the importance of American decisions and emphasizing adherence to Azerbaijani laws. The judicial panel, however, rejected Hajiyev’s protest. In response, Hajiyev declared his intention to abstain from future hearings, criticizing the court’s integrity and claiming the proceedings were predetermined. He stated that even if he attended, he would merely pass the time by reading books, highlighting his disillusionment with the judicial process.
The court did not accept Hajiyev’s refusal to participate but continued the trial by reviewing the criminal case documents. The trial has been postponed until October 11. Hajiyev faces multiple charges, including hooliganism, disrespect to the court, illegal entrepreneurship, and tax evasion, all of which he denies, attributing his arrest to retaliation for his criticisms of Interior Minister Vilayet Eyvazov. The Interior Ministry has dismissed these accusations as baseless.
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