Berlin must undertake equal dialogue with Baku

By Vestnik Kavkaza

The German parliament cannot agree on an estimation of the situation with human rights in Azerbaijan, starting from the failure of the tendentious report by socialist Christoph Straesser in PACE on January 23. The Green Party and socialists in the Bundestag tried to present a similar report, but failed again. Vestnik Kavkaza has received a speech by the member of the left-wing party (German communists) Catharine Werner who presents a different, more independent and complex appraisal of the situation in Azerbaijan.

Werner thinks that the tendency of criticizing Azerbaijan is unacceptable because the situation in neighboring Armenia and Georgia is no better. Straesser didn’t visit Azerbaijan to compose his report, relying on blogs and reports of the non-governmental organizations sponsored by the Green Party and socialists. He focused on Azerbaijan, showing a wrong political approach. “It caused the impression that one of the worst dictatorships is ruling the country, and we should fight against it. It is impossible to provide an independent dialogue on human rights with such methods as a complex appraisal of the situation is demanded,” Werner emphasized.

The social and political reality of Azerbaijan is described in a false way, as reporters rely on the facts which coincide with the vision by “the red and green coalition,” i.e. the project of the resolution is not an analysis, but ideology. Of course critical opinions must be considered as well, but they are not enough. “To create an independent perception about the situation in Azerbaijan, it is necessary to maintain contacts with various forces: representatives of NGOs, unions, the constructive opposition, the current authorities, and their supporters,” Werner said and added that it concerns not only Azerbaijan, but the progress of democracy and human rights in general.

The German communists urge an open and critical dialogue between Germany and Azerbaijan. Werner explains why the policy of pressure on Azerbaijan, which is suggested by “the red and green coalition”, is inefficient. “Why do socialists and the Green think that the EU is a priority for Azerbaijan? This country is a member of the Nonaligned Movement since 2011; it provides an independent and balanced policy, considering its rapid economic development. The EU has lost its attractiveness because of its wrong crisis management. Why does Azerbaijan have to strive for approaching with the EU? It is Europe that imports Azerbaijani oil, not vice versa,” the left-wing MP said.

Werner thinks that Azerbaijan should be praised for successes in the democracy sphere, rather than be criticized for drawbacks as the modern countries of Western Europe spent much more than 20 years for establishing of a rule-of-law state.

She disapproved data by “the red and green coalition” on a disastrous situation in Azerbaijani economy and the social sphere, according to which “almost all industries, except for the oil one, are paralyzed in the country.” “In fact the situation is opposite. The country’s economy develops dynamically not only in the energy segment. The so-called GINI index which detects social inequality tends to reduce in Azerbaijan,” Catherine Werner says.

Finally, one of the most important evidence of non-objectiveness of Straesser’s report is omission of the freedom of conscience in Azerbaijan. “Azerbaijan is one of few countries in the world with majorly Muslim population, where construction of new churches and synagogues is permitted. The secular character of the Azerbaijani society and peaceful life of various religions have been maintained, despite the difficult geopolitical situation and the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia,” Werner reminded to the German parliament.