AA14CR16ADD1

AS (2014) CR 16
Addendum 1

2014 ORDINARY SESSION

________________________

(Second part)

REPORT

Sixteenth sitting

Thursday, 10 April 2014 at 10 a.m.

ADDENDUM 1

Reconsideration on substantive grounds of the previously ratified credentials of the Russian delegation

The following texts were submitted for inclusion in the official report by members who were present in the Chamber but were prevented by lack of time from delivering them.

Mr HUSEYNOV (Azerbaijan) – All our debates today, and those we have had on previous occasions share one common philosophy – finding the truth. What is truth? Where is it? Is it part of bigger truths or amid the various deceptions? Does the truth take sides with the strong and distinguished or does this value cover everybody? If such paradoxical questions can be posed, the truth is far too abstract and its exact place is unknown.

This is the reality today. We witness vehement and even emotional debates, but we do not even want to think about the genuine truth in all its aspects and colours. Some people say that the truth arises from comparisons. Let us make a little comparison; then we will notice some undeniable evidence which proves that the current truth-finders are not sincere truth-lovers.

We charge Russia for the problem of Crimea, but there is not a single document following investigations in the Parliamentary Assembly which provides a legal assessement of these events. Yet the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a special resolution on 25 January 2005 which precisely assessed Armenian aggression towards Azerbaijan. In the initial paragraphs, that resolution affirms Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territories, the existence of a separatist regime in Nagorno-Karabakh and the ethnic cleansing implemented against Azerbaijanis in Armenia. Which sanctions did the Council of Europe apply against Armenia because of its occupation of 20% of Azerbaijani territories? When were the voting rights of Armenia suspended? When was Armenia condemned as Russia is now being criticised? No measures have been ever taken! Why do we recall our obligation to be fair only now with respect to Russia?

Each punishment should be proportionate to the scale of the crime perpetrated and the misdeed. The scope of the crimes perpetrated by Armenia against another member State, Azerbaijan, is huge. Towns and villages were destroyed, people were murdered, nature was poisoned, cultural heritage was ruined. That the Council of Europe has not yet punished Armenia for these crimes, or even thought about doing so, calls into question the issue of the punishment of Russia and demonstrates the most obvious example of double standards. I would never raise my hand to vote for the punishment of any other country, including Russia, so long as Armenia has not been punished.

If, due to the Crimean events, we deprive Russia of voting rights till the end of the current year, then we should have imposed much tougher sanctions against Armenia, which has perpetrated much graver crimes and was acknowledged as an agressor by many international organisations, including the United Nations and the Council of Europe. Otherwise, we once again face injustice, insincerity and different dimensions in our treatment of the various members of the Council of Europe, which are referred to by us as a single family. Too severe towards one member State and too soft towards another one? What for? Is the presence of such discrimination in a family acceptable? The perpetrator in these debates and of such intended actions and expected deeds is not Russia, but this Chamber.

Had we set up this trial for Armenia in due time, there probably would not have been any need for such discussions, either today or tomorrow. It is a pity that it took us so long to wake up. The bigger culprit has not been punished so far. I am anticipating that day above all.