Azernews.Az

OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is interested and ready to cooperate with Azerbaijan and plans to strengthen this cooperation in the future, the organization’s director Michael Link said.

He made the remarks during the meeting with Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov as part of the 22nd OSCE Ministerial Council in Belgrade, Serbia.

Mammadyarov noted that OSCE/ODIHR’s refusal to observe the parliamentary election held in Azerbaijan November 1, contradicts with its mandate.

He added that this step raised doubts about the independence and impartiality of this structure.

Azerbaijani minister believes that it is necessary to find out which principles and methods the OSCE/ODIHR’s position is based on.

Under the Helsinki Document, adopted in 1992, the OSCE/ODIHR’s primary role lies in helping member states implement their commitments in the field of human rights.

According to a decision made at the OSCE Budapest Summit in 1994, the OSCE/ODIHR’s mandate is to function as an advisor. Under the Budapest document, the ODIHR, in consultation with the chairman-in-office and acting in an advisory capacity, takes part in discussions with the Permanent Council and provide information on implemented projects. Acting in close consultation with the chairman-in-office, the director of the ODIHR may propose further action.

As can be seen from this mandate, the OSCE/ODIHR has no authority to make a unilateral decision without consulting the chairman-in-office and the corresponding member state. This once again shows that the ODIHR leadership, influenced by certain circles, deliberately politicizes technicalities, such as the monitoring of elections.

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