MEP urges EU action over Azerbaijani election fraud.

3.23.14pm GMT Wed 9th Nov 2005

Commenting on the judgments by international organisations that the recent elections in Azerbaijan were flawed with irregularities and in particular the OSCE statement that they were "undermined by significant deficiencies in the count," London Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford said:

"This election has been billed as a "test" of Azerbaijan's progress towards democracy. Yet far from upholding international standards, the corruption and cronyism inherent in President Aliyev's regime continues."

"I add my voice to the EU Presidency's call for a full and transparent investigation into complaints of fraud, but urge it to follow through with strong pressure in favour of reform in Azerbaijan. The EU-Azerbaijan partnership & cooperation agreement clause requiring respect for democracy, the rule of law and human rights should not be allowed to be a dead letter."

The opposition Freedom coalition is calling for a mass peaceful protest against the results, which could continue until the vote is overturned. Sarah Ludford added:

"If these protests materialize, there must be no repeat of the police brutality and arbitrary detention that characterized the run up to Sunday's elections. The EU must make it abundantly clear that the international community will not tolerate any attempt to block peaceful protest, and that Azerbaijan's hopes of intensifying its relationship with the EU depend on respect for democracy and justice."

Notes to Editors

Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP has been campaigning for free and fair elections in Azerbaijan, and was spokeswoman for the European Liberal Democrat group in a European Parliament debate on the issue. For details of the exchange please go to:

http://sarahludfordmep.org.uk/speeches/94.html

She also and publicly condemned the Azerbaijani authorities' refusal to allow opposition leader Rasul Guliyev to re-enter Azerbaijan on 17th October. For further information on her campaigning please go to:

http://sarahludfordmep.org.uk/news/561.html

http://www.sarahludfordmep.org.uk/news/554.html

http://www.sarahludfordmep.org.uk/news/552.html

http://www.sarahludfordmep.org.uk/news/550.html