Azerbaijan’s parliamentary election in November 2015 provided further evidence of the absence of rule of law in Azerbaijan. The majority of opposition candidates were not allowed on the ballot, there was no mechanism for debate on television, election monitors faced intimidation, and Azerbaijan generally failed to abide by minimum standards of elections it has committed itself to in the OSCE. Rule of law means that governmental powers are restricted by certain standards, which includes that citizens are allowed mechanisms to hold government accountable, such as through the media and civil society. These freedoms are greatly restricted in Azerbaijan. This briefing sought to better understand the situation in Azerbaijan through the testimonies of experts, including a particularly moving testimony by Dinara Yunus, the daughter of two imprisoned Azerbaijani human rights defenders.
Member
Hon. Robert B. Aderholt
Commissioner
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Moderator
Shelly Han
Policy Advisor
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Witnesses
Ambassador Richard Morningstar
Founding Director of the Global Energy Center
Atlantic Council
Natalia Bourjaily
Vice President - Eurasia
International Center for Not-For-Profit Law
Dinara Yunus
Daughter of Imprisoned Azerbaijani Human Rights Defenders Leyla and Arif Yunus
Relevant Issues
Relevant Countries
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