Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE119271
2009-11-18 21:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
OSCE/PERMANENT COUNCIL: VERDICT IN THE COURT
how-toVZCZCXYZ0021 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHC #9271 3222136 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O R 182131Z NOV 09 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE IMMEDIATE 5646 INFO RUEHKB/AMEMBASSY BAKU 9651
UNCLAS STATE 119271
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM CARC AJ OSCE
SUBJECT: OSCE/PERMANENT COUNCIL: VERDICT IN THE COURT
CASE OF IMPRISONED YOUTH ACTIVISTS IN AZERBAIJAN
Post is authorized to make the following statement at the
November 19 meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna:
Begin Text:
Thank you, Madam Chair.
The United States regrets the November 11 court decision in
Azerbaijan to imprison Azerbaijani youth leaders Emin Milli
and Adnan Hajizade. The decision is a step backwards for
Azerbaijan's progress towards democratic reform. The
non-transparent investigation, closed court hearings,
disproportionate legal charges, and failure to detain and
charge the assailants have raised concerns about the
independence of the police and the judiciary as well as about
restrictions on freedom of expression in Azerbaijan.
We hope the events of the past four months do not signal a
further erosion of free speech in Azerbaijan. We urge the
appeal process in these cases to be conducted in a fair,
timely, and transparent manner.
We also hope that this ruling does not discourage
Azerbaijan's civil society from continuing efforts to promote
democratic reforms, which the people of Azerbaijan deserve.
The United States remains committed to working with the
government and people of Azerbaijan to seek progress on
democratic reforms in line with Azerbaijan's OSCE
commitments, including on freedom of expression and
association. An independent judiciary, free from political
influence, and a vibrant civil society are cornerstones of a
modern democratic state.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
End text
CLINTON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM CARC AJ OSCE
SUBJECT: OSCE/PERMANENT COUNCIL: VERDICT IN THE COURT
CASE OF IMPRISONED YOUTH ACTIVISTS IN AZERBAIJAN
Post is authorized to make the following statement at the
November 19 meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna:
Begin Text:
Thank you, Madam Chair.
The United States regrets the November 11 court decision in
Azerbaijan to imprison Azerbaijani youth leaders Emin Milli
and Adnan Hajizade. The decision is a step backwards for
Azerbaijan's progress towards democratic reform. The
non-transparent investigation, closed court hearings,
disproportionate legal charges, and failure to detain and
charge the assailants have raised concerns about the
independence of the police and the judiciary as well as about
restrictions on freedom of expression in Azerbaijan.
We hope the events of the past four months do not signal a
further erosion of free speech in Azerbaijan. We urge the
appeal process in these cases to be conducted in a fair,
timely, and transparent manner.
We also hope that this ruling does not discourage
Azerbaijan's civil society from continuing efforts to promote
democratic reforms, which the people of Azerbaijan deserve.
The United States remains committed to working with the
government and people of Azerbaijan to seek progress on
democratic reforms in line with Azerbaijan's OSCE
commitments, including on freedom of expression and
association. An independent judiciary, free from political
influence, and a vibrant civil society are cornerstones of a
modern democratic state.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
End text
CLINTON