Congress President calls on Azerbaijan to submit constitutional amendments to the Venice Commission

Ian Micallef, President a.i. of the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, today expressed his concern about proposed constitutional amendments in Azerbaijan, which are to be submitted to a referendum on 18 March 2009.

“The amendments regarding local self-government, in particular those establishing government control over the activity of municipalities, raise the concern that they might be in contradiction with the European Charter of Local Self-Government, which was ratified by Azerbaijan in 2002,” President Micallef said.

He recalled Azerbaijan’s commitment, entered into when the country joined the Council of Europe in 2001, to amend the current legislation governing the powers of local authorities so as to give them greater responsibilities and independence, taking into account the recommendations made in this respect by the Congress.

“I call on the authorities of Azerbaijan to submit these amendments to the European Commission on Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) for an expert opinion before holding the referendum,” concluded President Micallef.