Azerbaijani MP and member of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party Siyavush Novruzov told APA News Agency that the law about political parties in Azerbaijan is being suggested for reconsideration.
“Some political parties in Azerbaijan instead of engaging in political activities are turning into sales objects. And there are others with controversy over their legal status or where it is not clear who heads the party. To put an end to this there is a need changing the legislation and making the law clearer,” he said on January 26.
Novruzov says that the parliament will refer to the experiences of other countries in order to make the right decisions.
“For example, there is such practice that if the pasty hadn’t participated in any political activities two years after its creation, it should be shut down automatically. When we work on an updated legislation we should take such aspects into consideration. Some of our political parties have become sales objects. There are parties that were registered back in the 1990s, and now they are being sold to someone, and bought by someone. And in some parties certain party members have already begun litigation against others. One side says that the name of the party and its stamp belong to them, and the other side says that these belong to them. We need to clear up all these issues by updating our legislation,” he said.
Novruzov added that Azerbaijan’s major opposition parties, the Popular Front Party and Musavat Party, are currently experiencing these problems, and that the updated legislation would clear things up.
Representatives of the Popular Front Party and Musavat Party have commented on Novruzov’s statement in an interview with Meydan TV on January 26.
Popular Front Party Deputy Chairman Gozal Bayramli says that Azerbaijani government has always been worried about the activities of her party. She said the government is trying to question the party’s legal status and end its activities.
“I don’t see a different intention behind this legislation,” she said.
Deputy Head of the Musavat Party Elman Fattah accused Novruzov of lying. According to him, in countries that operate based on democratic values, there is no need for
closure procedures for political parties.
“It seems like the government still can’t take its hands of strengthening the authoritarianism in the country,” he added.
