[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 158 (Tuesday, September 30, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2177]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS 
                             IN AZERBAIJAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 29, 2008

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam, Speaker, I rise today to commend the formation of 
the Joint Working Group, JWG, in Azerbaijan. Consisting of 
representatives from a wide range of society and international experts, 
the JWG was founded in the spring of 2008 to improve and protect human 
rights in Azerbaijan by implementing international human rights 
standards.
  The JWG is educating various strata of society on human rights 
issues, informing them about existing human rights violations, and have 
created a hotline and legal aid center, where services are free. It 
investigates complaints received on human rights violations and takes 
steps to restore citizen's rights and improve national legislative acts 
focused on human rights.
  As a part of its ongoing responsibility, the JWG was asked to 
participate in the planning and execution of the upcoming Presidential 
election to be held in Azerbaijan on October 15, 2008. JWG will help to 
ensure that a free, transparent, and fair election is held in 
accordance with international standards. Extensive training with 
respect to election processes including gatherings and demonstrations 
is planned and ongoing for police officers, observers, and 
commissioners at all levels. The training is being conducted by 
internationally recognized experts. The training includes instructions 
to document and report all activities properly and promptly. The JWG 
has taken into consideration the inputs of numerous national and 
international entities who are concerned with many aspects of the 
election. These entities include the Organization for Security and 
Cooperation in Europe, OSCE, and its Office for Democratic Institutions 
and Human Rights, ODIHR. JWG is coordinating large groups of 
international observers who will monitor the elections in the district 
of their own choosing and will cover all districts and precincts.
  I applaud the work of all election observers and hope the Azerbaijani 
people will have an election that is fair and transparent.

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