Strasbourg, 08/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - With the European Olympic Games about to open in Baku (12-28 June), President of the Political Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Anne Brasseur criticises the human rights violations in Azerbaijan - a member country of the Council of Europe (CoE). (Interview conducted by Véronique Leblanc).
Agence Europe (AE): How do you feel a few days ahead of the Games opening in Baku?
Anne Brasseur: This first European Games is a good thing for the athletes. Like the Games from the small states of Europe, this version enables them to measure themselves against 'what is measureable' - and I'm all the more sensitive to this as I'm from Luxembourg. It's a springboard. It's a good idea, including for the European idea - and the Azeris have shown that they are good organisers.
But the countless violations of human rights in this country must not be forgotten. While sport must not do politics, politics must not abuse sport to do politics.
Are you calling for European leaders to boycott the opening ceremony?
It has been talked about. I don't think it's possible because it would punish the sports people who have done their utmost to qualify. But it would be a strong gesture if some big sports figures refused to participate in the ceremony.
Will you be going yourself?
I haven't been invited! Maybe because the Azerbaijani authorities knew I'd refuse…
Are your relations tense with Baku?
In an interview that came out in April, the president of the Azerbaijani delegation at PACE said I was not supported by the institution and that I would certainly not be re-elected.
Authorities that you know, especially having worked with them during the Azerbaijani chairmanship of the CoE Committee of Ministers, which took place from May to November 2014…
During the meeting of the permanent Committee in Baku at the start of Azerbaijani chairmanship, I said the Games were an opportunity to be seized to accelerate reforms. In the end, the arrests have multiplied.
Including those of Tofig Yagublu and Ilgar Mammadov whom you went to see in prison…
Yes, I had to insist enormously. These two human rights supporters were sentenced to 5 and 7 years in prison respectively for having been the 'instigators' of a demonstration at which, until proven otherwise, they were only observers. And even if the accusation was founded, the penalty would be disproportionate.
How did you find them?
I didn't know Tofig Yagublu but I knew Ilgar Mammadov very well as he was the head of the CoE School of Political Studies in Baku. Personally, I found he was greatly suffering psychologically. I saw a broken man. The appeals that were lodged at his remand before the European Court of Human Rights ruled in his favour and took note of an instruction that was not in accordance with the rights of the defence. But these decisions came to nought. His detention was maintained, the trial took place and he was subject to an appeal that confirmed the 7 year punishment.
What has happened to the investigative journalist, Khadija Ismayilova?
I met her in June and she was afraid of being arrested upon her return to Baku. That wasn't the case. But she was arrested a few months later on the grounds of having… pushed her partner to suicide. She is on remand and charges such as tax fraud are now being made as well.
Are human rights defenders and journalists the regime's prime target?
NGOs have to fulfil a heap of criteria and submit requests. These are systematically rejected. After 5 or 6 refusals, people get discouraged but continue to work in 'forced illegality' which enables the government to accuse them of financial wrongdoing when they receive funds from abroad. It's a systemic problem.
Have you spoken to President Aliyev?
On three occasions. He answers me that these prisoners have infringed common law. I've replied that I'd be highly surprised if all human rights defenders in Azerbaijan - most of whom work for the CoE - were criminals. I've repeated to him that what is happening is unacceptable.
Did these meetings continue not to have any results?
Indeed. It's true there are pardons in Azerbaijan but these especially concern young people. And they involve the condemned person recognising his wrongs and going to bow at the tomb of the previous president - in other words, the father of the current president. Some of them refuse to do this, and it's understandable.
So what should we do as part of the Baku games?
Speak. Criticise the human rights violations in this country. Nils Muiznieks, our human rights commissioner, has done this and I'm doing it too. At the start of May, I also wrote to Patrick Hickey, the president of the European Olympic Committee, asking him to meet Human Rights Watch and discuss human rights in Azerbaijan. I think this would be the least he could do with regard to the Olympic Charter which places sport 'at the service of humanity's harmonious development in order to promote a peaceful society and preserve respect for human life'. We are far from this with the holding of the games in Baku.
Does the CoE's voice bear weight in this context?
It's more important than ever at a time when the principles, which are the basis of our democracies, are increasingly threatened. Our institution was created to defend them. It has to be heard.
Would the accession of the European Union to the European Court of Human Rights be an important step?
Undeniably. The European Commission is currently analysing the decision of the European Court of Justice of December 2014 (see EUROPE 11229 and 11221). We'll see… A meeting of the PACE presidents committee is planned with European Parliament President Martin Schulz and the presidents of the European Parliament's political groups on 11 September.