Commissioner Hammarberg visits Azerbaijan

Media freedom, the justice system, the behaviour of law enforcement officials and the legislative framework on non-governmental organisations are the main topics that the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, will discuss during his visit to Azerbaijan from 1 to 5 March, his second visit to that country since the beginning of his mandate.

In the course of his visit, Commissioner Hammarberg plans to meet the President of the Republic, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Justice, and the Minister of Internal Affairs, as well as the Prosecutor-General and the Head of the Azerbaijani delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Further meetings are planned with the Ombudsman and representatives of civil society.

The Commissioner intends to visit some places and institutions of human rights relevance, including in the Autonomous Republic of Nakhichevan.

A press conference will take place on Friday, 5 March (time to be confirmed) in the premises of the Council of Europe Office in Baku (39-41, Boyuk Gala Street, Icheri Sheher; Tel: +994 12 497 3156 / +994 12 497 5493; fieldbaku@coe.int).

Press contacts:

In Baku
Council of Europe Office in Baku; Tel: +994 12 497 3156 / +994 12 497 5493; fieldbaku@coe.int

In Strasbourg
Stefano Montanari, +33 (0)6 61 14 70 37; stefano.montanari@coe.int