ÿWPC… j²ÞŸÄ-‹ÜÃÖ-í ’Ÿ{Ô˜¿yñôé س+Ü` eàª|H LT¿bÂg«‘îb‘0Ìù¡ŠçéfwJÔ¡fW3ä‚_+T\ÅVÊnž£°AÁ6%Ü Ã3ŠRÐú’M¶ N¨eÌ-t½ï›ýåØ.ŒÙ5wáòáV“†¬]ÙðÓ¼é{ +œ¢’>ðLiq/õœhÃó€çG.ÿâUZBø˜ÎËK’þÁ ¦êp—"Ó“3Z’ó,ĹÙQ>’¿ Ìàö×Í6z ê(æ÷Ûæ™—¸:bŸÚoÍÁ 3›ÙaO͸8úôä&Ïš ïÏ9­2×]ý•xeªhŒ?¯žèO”¬ßÄ [H/ä&ó±ƒ{Šg@KwÙq¥«-úº˜˜Í4 ÇÁhR¬u¬ãQˆ¿ö!°œXHÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÓ' ++±“+{‚XbŒ7'Óà ± àà “ àÔ_ÔHRIÔ_Ô/CORE/1/Add.41Ð b Ðà ± àà “ àpage€Ú  Ú1Ú  ÚÐ Qï Ð(•2”R$¨¨Ý ƒ¨!ÝÔUKUS.,ÔÑÑÑ  ÑÑTRX<Ð6Â&Xà3Ø' Letter Ë6Æ&A4ÿ3Ø'TÑÔ€ôÇFòòôÔÔ€ôÇFòòôÇFÔÓ  ÓÓ33ÓÒ+°ÒÒŰÒÑØ°ÑÑ¥°ÑÓH4+{Ó+b™ Ð >u¬ãQˆ¿ö!°œXHÓÑÈÑÑÈÑÝ  Ý œÝ ƒ”R'ÝÔUKUS.,ÔÔ€ôÇFòòôÔÔ€ôÇFòòôÇFÔÓ  ÓÓ33ÓÒ+°ÒÒŰÒÓH4+{Ó+b™ Ð >u¬ãQˆ¿ö!°œXHÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÓ' ++±“+{‚XbŒ7'ÓÔ_ÔHRIÔ_Ô/CORE/1/Add.41Ð b Ðpage€Ú  Ú1Ú  ÚÐ Qï Ð(•2”R$§§Ý ƒ¨!ÝÔUKUS.,ÔÑÑÑ  ÑÑTRX<Ð6Â&Xà3Ø' Letter Ë6Æ&A4ÿ3Ø'TÑÔ€ôÇFòòôÔÔ€ôÇFòòôÇFÔÓ  ÓÓ33ÓÒ+°ÒÒŰÒÑØ°ÑÑ¥°ÑÓH4+{Ó+b™ Ð >u¬ãQˆ¿ö!°œXHÓÑÈÑÑÈÑÝ  Ý Ñ Ø ÑÑ ¥ Ñ Ñ Ø ÑÑ } Ñ(â"2 Š$¤¤Ý ƒ¨!ÝÔUKUS.,ÔÑÑÑ  ÑÑTRX<Ð6Â&Xà3Ø' Letter Ë6Æ&A4ÿ3Ø'TÑÔ€ôÇFòòôÔÔ€ôÇFòòôÇFÔÓ  ÓÓ33ÓÒ+°ÒÒŰÒÑØ°ÑÑ¥°ÑÓH4+{Ó+b™ Ð >u¬ãQˆ¿ö!°œXHÓÑÈÑÑÈÑÝ  ÝÓ3333ÓÔ€;RXòôÇFÔÒ°+ÒÒ°ÅÒ€€€€€òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó/(â"2ª$¥¥Ý ƒ¨!ÝÔUKUS.,ÔÑÑÑ  ÑÑTRX<Ð6Â&Xà3Ø' Letter Ë6Æ&A4ÿ3Ø'TÑÔ€ôÇFòòôÔÔ€ôÇFòòôÇFÔÓ  ÓÓ33ÓÒ+°ÒÒŰÒÑØ°ÑÑ¥°ÑÓH4+{Ó+b™ Ð >u¬ãQˆ¿ö!°œXHÓÑÈÑÑÈÑÝ  ÝÓ3333ÓÔ€;RXòôÇFÔÒ°+ÒÒ°ÅÒ€€€€€òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó/#|d (z¨$¡¡ÔUKUS.,ÔÑÑÑ  ÑÑTRX<Ð6Â&Xà3Ø' Letter Ë6Æ&A4ÿ3Ø'TÑÔ€ôÇFòòôÔÔ€ôÇFòòôÇFÔÓ  ÓÓ33ÓÒ+°ÒÒŰÒÑØ°ÑÑ¥°ÑÓH4+{Ó+b™ Ð >u¬ãQˆ¿ö!°œXHÓÑÈÑÑÈјHP LaserJet 4P,ü,,,,,ü0!¨}. Jc.Oru' (IÈjžÿU‹ÿÀÀÀÝ ƒ¨!ÝÔUKUS.,ÔÑÑÑ  ÑÑTRX<Ð6Â&Xà3Ø' Letter Ë6Æ&A4ÿ3Ø'TÑÔ€ôÇFòòôÔÔ€ôÇFòòôÇFÔÓ  ÓÓ33ÓÒ+°ÒÒŰÒÑØ°ÑÑ¥°ÑÓH4+{Ó+b™ Ð >u¬ãQˆ¿ö!°œXHÓÑÈÑÑÈÑÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÓ' ++±“+{‚XbŒ7'ÓÑbØÑщ¥ÑÑ = ÑÔ_ÔÖ€ÿÿÖÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÖ€ÿÿÖÔ_Ôà ± àà “ àDistr.Ð b Ðà ± àà “ àGENERALÐ Qï ÐÌà ± àà “ àÔ_ÔHRIÔ_Ô/CORE/1/Add.41Ð / Í Ðà ± àà “ à28€February€1994Ð  ¼ ÐÌà ± àà “ àENGLISHÐ ü š Ðà ± àà “ àOriginal:€€RUSSIANÐ ë ‰ ÐÌÌÌÌÓK4++b™ Ð >u¬ã±“Qˆ¿ö!++±âKÓÌÌà@  –àCORE€DOCUMENT€FORMING€PART€OF€THE€REPORTS€OF€STATES€PARTIESˆà ö! àÓQ.++b™ Ð >u¬ãQˆ¿ö!++ˆ7±“Qƒ7QÓÐ t  ÐÌà@¢¢/–àAZERBAIJANˆÐ Rð ÐÌà€]]K$à[25€January€1994]ˆÐ 0Î ÐÌà@881–àGENERALˆÐ ¬ ÐÌà@ºº%–àA.€€THE€COUNTRY€AND€ITS€PEOPLEˆÐ ìŠ ÐÌ1.à b àOn€1€January€1993,€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€had€7,368,000€inhabitants,Ð Êh Ðofwhom€3,933,000€or€53percent,€were€urban€dwellers€and€3,435,000,Ð ¹W Ðor47percent,€lived€in€rural€areas.€Ð ¨F ÐÌ2.à b àAverage€annual€population€growth€for€1990-1992€was€79,000,Ð †!$ Ðagainst102,000€in€the€previous€decade.€€The€decline€in€the€rate€ofÐ u" Ðgrowthislinked€to€increasingly€heavy€migration,€with€people€movingÐ d# Ðbeyondthe€Republic's€borders.€Ð S$ñ ÐÌ3.à b àThe€composition€of€the€population€by€sex€and€age€is€asÐ 1&Ï! Ðfollows:3,609,000,€or€49percent,€are€men€and€3,759,000,€or€51percent,Ð  '¾" Ðare€women;€35.3percent€are€below€working€age€(0-15years),€54.4percentÐ (­ # Ðareof€working€age€(men€16-59years,€women€16-54years)€and€10.3percentÐ þ(œ!$ Ðareof€pensionable€age.Ð í)‹"% ÐÌ4.à b àSome€33.4percent€of€the€population€are€below€15years€of€ageÐ Ë+i$' Ðand4.9percent€are€over€65.€€€Ð º,X%( ÐÌ5.à b àThe€average€age€of€the€population€is€27.€€Ð ˜.6'* Ðâ âÐ ‡/%(+= ÐÔ_Ô6.à b àPopulation€growth€in€the€Republic€is€due€to€a€natural€population€shift,Ð F Ðâ ânamely€the€birth€rate.Ð 5ï ÐÌ7.à b àIn€1992,€there€were€181,364€live€births.€€Ð Í ÐÌÌÌGE.94„15642€€(E)Ð Ï ‰ ÐÌÑØbÑÑ}‰Ñ8.à b àThe€birth€rate€in€the€Republic€is€quite€high.€€In€the€context,€however,Ð ­ g  Ðof€a€worsening€demographic€situation,€the€birth€rate€has€also€fallen€and€isÐ œV  Ðnow€25.2births€per€1,000€inhabitants,€compared€with€27.0in€1991.€€Ð ‹E  ÐÌ9.à b àOn€average,€a€woman€will€have€about€three€babies€during€her€lifetimeÐ i#  Ð(general€fertility€2.87).€€Thus€present€fertility€levels€maintain€continuingÐ X  Ðmodest€population€growth.Ð G ÐÌ10.à b àThe€death€rate€in€the€Republic€is€typically€relatively€low€and€stable.€Ð %ß ÐNevertheless,€in€1992,€there€were€51,258deaths,€or€7.1per100inhabitants,Ð Î Ðrepresenting€a€0.8percent€increase€on€1991€(6.3percent).€€Ð ½ ÐÌ11.à b àThe€level€of€mortality€is€reflected€in€the€figure€for€life€expectancy,Ð á› Ðwhich,€in€1991,€was€70.5years,€or€66.3years€for€men€and€74.5years€forРЊ Ðwomen.€€Ð ¿y ÐÌ12.à b àMost€acute€is€the€problem€of€infant€mortality,€which€is€comparativelyÐ W Ðhigh,€at€25.5deaths€before€the€age€of€one€per1,000births€in€1992.€Ð ŒF ÐAltogether€4,708children€in€the€Republic€died€before€the€age€of€one€inÐ {5 Ðthatyear.Ð j$ ÐÌ13.à b àPerinatal€mortality,€calculated€per100,000births,€was€17.6women.Ð H! ÐÌ14.à b àThe€migratory€balance€has€typically€been€negative€for€a€numberof€years.€Ð &#à  ÐIn1992,€it€amounted€to€a€net€loss€of€61,300€people,€of€whom2,900€went€toÐ $Ï! Ðcountries€beyond€the€former€Soviet€Union.Ð %¾" ÐÌ15.à b àThe€high€level€of€migration€in€the€Republic,€as€in€the€majority€ofÐ â&œ!$ Ðcountries€of€the€former€USSR,€has€been€exacerbated€over€recent€years€by€theÐ Ñ'‹"% Ðgrowth€of€socio-economic€tensions.€€Ð À(z#& ÐÌ16.à b àThere€are€more€than€70,000marriages€annually€in€the€RepublicÐ ž*X%( Ðand9,000marriages€are€dissolved.€€In€1992,€there€were€9.5marriagesÐ +G&) Ðper1,000people,€and€1.3divorces.Ð |,6'* ÐÐ k-%(+ Ð17.à b àAccording€to€the€1989€census,€644men€were€married€[per€1,000inhabitantsÐ F Ðof€16years€or€over],and€309had€never€been€married;€the€figures€for€womenÐ 5ï Ðwere€594€and€227respectively.Ð $Þ ÐÌ18.à b àAccording€to€census€data,€there€were€4,241illiterates€in€the€ageÐ  ¼ Ðgroup9-49€years€(0.1percent€of€this€age€group),€the€majority€of€whom€hadÐ ñ « Ðbeen€unable€to€attend€school€because€of€physical€handicaps€or€chronic€illness.€Ð à š ÐOf€those€aged€15€years€or€over,€2.7percent€are€illiterate,€the€majorityÐ Ï ‰ Ðbeing€elderly.Ð ¾ x ÐÌ19.à b àAzerbaijan€is€a€Republic€of€many€nationalities.€€Ð œV  ÐÌ20.à b àThe€1989€census€recorded€5,805,000€(82.7percent)€Azerbaijanis,Ð z4  Ð392,000(5.6percent)€Russians,€391,000€(5.6percent)€Armenians,€171,000Ð i#  Ð(2.4percent)€Lezgins,€44,000€(0.6percent)€Avars,€32,000€(0.5percent)Ð X  ÐUkrainians,€31,000€(0.5percent)€Jews,€29,000(0.4percent)€Tatars€andÐ G Ð126,000€(1.7percent)€members€of€almost€90other€nationalities.Ð 6ð ÐÌ21.à b àThe€last€census€showed€that€97.3percent€of€the€populationÐ Î Ðconsideredthat€their€native€tongue€was€the€language€of€their€ownÐ ½ Ðnationalityand€2.7percent€considered€it€to€be€the€language€of€anotherÐ ò¬ Ðpeople.€€In€the€census,€291,000non„Azerbaijanis,€or€23.9€per€cent,€namedÐ á› ÐAzerbaijani€as€their€native€language€or€as€a€second€language€which€they€spokeРЊ Ðfluently€and€2,302,900€non„Russians,€or€34.8percent,€named€Russian.€€Ð ¿y ÐÌ22.à b àIn€the€Republic€there€are€now€more€than€200working€mosques,€5RussianÐ W ÐOrthodox€churches,€3synagogues,€1€Georgian€Orthodox€church,€1€New€ApostolicÐ ŒF Ðchurch€and€38houses€of€prayer.Ð {5 ÐÌ23.à b àGDP€in€1992€at€current€prices€was108.2billion€roubles,€or€64.8percentÐ Y  Ðof€the€1991€level.€€Per€capita€expenditure€on€goods€and€services€wasÐ H! Ð24,983roubles,€36percent€less€than€the€previous€year.€€The€fall€in€GDPÐ 7"ñ Ðislinked€with€declining€output€in€the€productive€sector,€which€accounts€forÐ &#à  Ðthe€bulk€of€gross€domestic€product€„€80percent.€€Industry€accountsÐ $Ï! Ðfor45percent,€agriculture€nearly€30percent€and€construction€7percent.Ð %¾" ÐÌ24.à b àAs€a€result€of€social€welfare€measures€necessitated€by€rising€prices€forÐ â&œ!$ Ðconsumer€goods€and€services,€nominal€monetary€incomes€of€the€people€of€theÐ Ñ'‹"% ÐAzerbaijani€Republic€in€1992€amounted€to€92.6billion€roubles,€4.9times€moreÐ À(z#& Ðthan€in€the€previous€year.€€However,€consumer€prices€multiplied€by€12.1€overÐ ¯)i$' Ðthis€period,€outstripping€the€increase€in€nominal€incomes€and€eroding€theÐ ž*X%( Ðpurchasing€power€of€the€rouble,€so€that€real€incomes€were€only€41percent€ofÐ +G&) Ðtheir€1991€levels.€€Ð |,6'* ÐÐ k-%(+ Ð25.à b àIn€1992,€per€capita€income€in€the€Republic€was€12,633roubles.Ð F ÐÌ26.à b àIn€the€first€eight€months€of€this€year,€the€consumer€price€indexÐ $Þ Ðrose289.3percent.Ð Í ÐÌà@$$$–àB.€€GENERAL€POLITICAL€FOUNDATIONSˆÐ ñ « ÐÌ27.à b àThe€Constitutional€Act€on€the€State€Independence€of€the€AzerbaijaniÐ Ï ‰ ÐRepublic€states:€€On€28May1918,€the€National€Council€of€Azerbaijan€passedÐ ¾ x Ðthe€Declaration€of€Independence,€thereby€reviving€the€Azerbaijani€people'sÐ ­ g  Ðcenturies-old€tradition€of€statehood.Ð œV  ÐÌà b àThe€Azerbaijani€Republic€enjoyed€complete€political€authority€within€itsÐ z4  Ðterritory€and€pursued€independent€foreign€and€domestic€policies.€€InstitutionsÐ i#  Ðcharacteristic€of€an€independent€State€„€the€parliament,€government,€army€andÐ X  Ðfinancial€system€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€„€were€created€and€began€toÐ G Ðfunction.€€The€Azerbaijani€Republic€was€recognized€by€many€foreign€States€andÐ 6ð Ðestablished€diplomatic€relations€with€them.€€But€on€27and28April1920,€inÐ %ß Ðflagrant€violation€of€international€law,€the€RSFSR,€without€declaring€war,Ð Î Ðmoved€units€of€its€armed€forces€into€Azerbaijan,€occupied€the€territory€of€theÐ ½ Ðsovereign€Azerbaijani€Republic,€overthrew€by€force€the€lawfully€electedÐ ò¬ Ðgovernment€bodies€and€put€an€end€to€the€Republic's€independence,€won€at€theÐ á› Ðcost€of€enormous€sacrifices€by€the€Azerbaijani€people.€€Ð Њ ÐÌà b àSubsequently,€Azerbaijan,€as€in€1806-1828,€was€annexed€by€Russia.€Ð ®h ÐÌà b àThe€Treaty€of€Union€of€30December1922,€establishing€the€USSR,Ð ŒF Ðconsolidated€the€annexation.€€For€the€next€70years€a€colonial€policy€wasÐ {5 Ðapplied€to€the€Azerbaijani€Republic,€its€natural€resources€were€ruthlesslyÐ j$ Ðexploited,€its€national€riches€plundered,€the€Azerbaijani€people€was€subjectedÐ Y  Ðto€persecution€and€repression€and€its€national€dignity€violated.€€In€spite€ofÐ H! Ðthis,€the€Azerbaijani€people€continued€its€struggle€for€independence.€€Ð 7"ñ ÐÌà b àThe€outcome€of€this€struggle€was€the€Declaration€on€the€Re-establishmentÐ $Ï! Ðof€the€State€Independence€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic,€passed€by€the€SupremeÐ %¾" ÐSoviet€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€on€30August1991.Ð ó%­ # ÐÌà b àThe€people€of€Azerbaijan€are€setting€up€an€independent,€secular,Ð Ñ'‹"% Ðdemocratic,€unitary€State,€whose€sovereign€power€in€internal€affairs€isÐ À(z#& Ðlimited€only€by€law€and€in€external€affairs€only€by€the€provisions€of€treatiesÐ ¯)i$' Ðand€agreements€to€which€the€people€of€Azerbaijan€have€freely€expressed€theirÐ ž*X%( Ðconsent.€€Ð +G&) Ðâ âÐ |,6'* Ðà b àThe€sovereignty€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€is€indivisible€and€extendsÐ F Ðâ âover€the€whole€of€its€territory.€€The€Azerbaijani€Republic€does€not€cede€inÐ 5ï Ðany€way€whatsoever€those€sovereign€rights€which€it€exercises€within€itsÐ $Þ Ðterritory€to€any€other€State€or€union€of€States.€€Ð Í ÐÌà b àState€power€in€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€is€based€on€the€principle€of€theÐ ñ « Ðseparation€of€powers.€€Ð à š ÐÌà b àLegislative€power€is€exercised€by€the€Parliament€of€the€AzerbaijaniÐ ¾ x ÐRepublic€and€supreme€executive€power€by€the€President€of€the€AzerbaijaniÐ ­ g  ÐRepublic,€the€head€of€the€Azerbaijani€State.€€Ð œV  ÐÌà b àJudicial€power€is€exercised€by€the€independent€courts€and,€in€the€highestÐ z4  Ðinstance,€the€Constitutional€Court€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic,€the€SupremeÐ i#  ÐCourt€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€and€the€High€Court€of€Arbitration€of€theÐ X  ÐAzerbaijani€Republic,€each€within€the€limits€of€its€authority.€€Ð G ÐÌà b àThe€limits€of€legislative€power€are€defined€by€the€Constitution€of€theÐ %ß ÐAzerbaijani€Republic,€those€of€executive€and€judicial€power€by€theÐ Î ÐConstitution€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic,€its€laws€and€statutes.€€Ð ½ ÐÌà@–àC.€€GENERAL€LEGAL€FOUNDATIONS€FOR€THE€PROTECTION€OF€HUMAN€RIGHTSˆÐ á› ÐÌà@‚‚'–àGENERAL€JUDICIAL€FRAMEWORKˆÐ ¿y ÐÌ28.à b àIn€its€report,€the€Government€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€will€try€toÐ W Ðgive€a€general€picture€of€the€judicial€framework€within€which€civil€andÐ ŒF Ðpolitical€rights€are€protected€in€Azerbaijan.Ð {5 ÐÌ29.à b àArticle19€of€the€Constitutional€Act€on€the€State€Independence€of€theÐ Y  ÐAzerbaijani€Republic€states:€€Ð H! ÐÌà0 b àà ™ à"All€citizens€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€are€equal€before€the€law.€Ð &#à  ÐThe€Azerbaijani€Republic€subscribes€to€the€Universal€Declaration€ofÐ $Ï! ÐHumanRights,€the€Helsinki€Final€Act€and€other€generally€recognizedÐ %¾" Ðinternational€legal€documents€and€shall€ensure€that€all€the€rights€andÐ ó%­ # Ðfreedoms€envisaged€in€them€are€observed€and€may€be€exercised€withoutÐ â&œ!$ Ðhindrance,€irrespective€of€sex,€race,€nationality,€religion,€socialÐ Ñ'‹"% Ðorigin,€political€convictions€or€any€other€factor".à ˆ àÐÀ(z#&b$b$ ІÌ30.à b àChapter€6€of€the€Constitution€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€is€devoted€toÐ ž*X%( Ðthe€fundamental€rights€and€freedoms€of€citizens€of€Azerbaijan.€€There€followsÐ +G&) Ða€summary€of€the€chief€articles€of€this€chapter.Ð |,6'* ÐÐ k-%(+ Ðà b àArticle€37.€€Citizens€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€shall€enjoy€all€theÐ F Ðsocio-economic,€political€and€individual€rights€and€freedoms€proclaimed€inÐ 5ï Ðandguaranteed€by€the€Constitution€and€laws€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic.Ð $Þ ÐÌà b àArticle€38.€€Citizens€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€shall€have€the€rightÐ  ¼ Ðtowork€„€that€is,€to€a€secure€job€paid€according€to€the€quantity€and€qualityÐ ñ « Ðof€work€performed,€but€at€not€less€than€the€minimum€level€fixed€by€theÐ à š ÐState„€including€the€right€to€free€choice€of€profession,€type€of€occupationÐ Ï ‰ Ðand€work€in€keeping€with€their€vocation,€capabilities,€vocational€trainingÐ ¾ x Ðandeducation,€taking€into€account€the€needs€of€society.Ð ­ g  ÐÌà b àArticle€39.€€Citizens€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€shall€have€the€right€toÐ ‹E  Ðleisure.Ð z4  ÐÌà b àArticle€40.€€Citizens€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€shall€have€the€right€toÐ X  Ðhealth€care.Ð G ÐÌà b àArticle€41.€€Citizens€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€shall€have€the€right€toÐ %ß Ðmaterial€provision€in€old€age€or€in€the€event€of€illness,€full€or€partialÐ Î Ðdisablement,€or€loss€of€the€breadwinner.Ð ½ ÐÌà b àArticle€42.€€Citizens€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€shall€have€the€right€toÐ á› Ðhousing.РЊ ÐÌà b àArticle€43.€€Citizens€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€shall€have€the€right€toÐ ®h Ðeducation.Ð W ÐÌà b àArticle€44.€€Citizens€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€shall€have€the€right€toÐ {5 Ðenjoy€the€benefits€of€culture.Ð j$ ÐÌà b àArticle€45.€€Citizens€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€shall€be€guaranteedÐ H! Ðfreedom€of€scientific,€technological€and€artistic€creation.€€IntellectualÐ 7"ñ Ðproperty€shall€be€protected€by€the€State.Ð &#à  ÐÌà b àArticle€46.€€Citizens€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€shall€have€the€right€toÐ %¾" Ðtake€part€in€the€conduct€of€public€and€social€affairs€and€in€the€discussionÐ ó%­ # Ðand€adoption€of€laws€and€decisions€at€local€and€national€level.Ð â&œ!$ ÐÌà b àArticle€47.€€Every€citizen€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€shall€have€theÐ À(z#& Ðright€to€submit€to€State€agencies€and€public€organizations€proposals€forÐ ¯)i$' Ðimproving€their€operations,€and€to€criticize€deficiencies€in€their€work.Ð ž*X%( ÐÌÐ  |,6'* Ðà b àOfficials€shall€be€obliged€to€examine€citizens'€proposals€and€statementsÐ F Ðwithin€the€established€period€and€take€any€necessary€measures.€€PersecutingÐ 5ï Ðcitizens€for€voicing€criticism€is€forbidden,€and€anyone€doing€so€shall€beÐ $Þ Ðbrought€to€account.Ð Í ÐÌà b àArticle€48.€€Citizens€of€the€AzerbaijaniRepublic€shall€be€guaranteedÐ ñ « Ðfreedom€of€speech€and€of€the€press€and€freedom€to€attend€assemblies,€rallies,Ð à š Ðparades€and€demonstrations.Ð Ï ‰ ÐÌà b àArticle€49.€€Citizens€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€shall€have€the€right€toÐ ­ g  Ðform€political€parties,€trade€unions€and€other€public€organizations.Ð œV  ÐÌà b àArticle€50.€€Citizens€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€shall€be€guaranteedÐ z4  Ðfreedom€of€conscience,€that€is€the€right€to€profess€any€religion€or€none,€toÐ i#  Ðlead€religious€worship€and€to€engage€in€atheistic€propaganda.€€Incitement€toÐ X  Ðreligious€enmity€or€hatred€is€forbidden.Ð G ÐÌà b àArticle€51.€€The€family€is€protected€by€the€State.€€Marriage€is€based€onÐ %ß Ðthe€free€consent€of€the€man€and€the€woman;€the€spouses€have€equal€rights€inÐ Î Ðfamily€relations.Ð ½ ÐÌà b àArticle€52.€€Citizens€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€shall€be€guaranteedÐ á› Ðinviolability€of€the€person.€€No€one€may€be€arrested€other€than€on€the€basisРЊ Ðof€a€judicial€decision€or€with€the€sanction€of€the€public€prosecutor.€€Ð ¿y ÐÌà b àArticle€53.€€Citizens€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€shall€be€guaranteedÐ W Ðinviolability€of€the€home.€€No€one€has€the€right€to€enter€another's€homeÐ ŒF Ðagainst€the€will€of€those€living€there€except€on€legal€authority.Ð {5 ÐÌà b àArticle€54.€€Citizens'€private€lives€and€the€confidentiality€of€letters,Ð Y  Ðtelephone€conversations€and€communications€by€telegraph€shall€be€protected€byÐ H! Ðlaw.Ð 7"ñ ÐÌà b àArticle€55.€€It€is€the€duty€of€all€State€agencies,€social€organizationsÐ $Ï! Ðand€officials€to€respect€the€individual€and€to€protect€his€rights€andÐ %¾" Ðfreedoms.Ð ó%­ # ÐÌà b àCitizens€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€shall€have€the€right€to€theÐ Ñ'‹"% Ðprotection€of€the€law€against€attacks€on€their€honour€and€dignity,€lifeÐ À(z#& Ðandhealth,€personal€freedom€and€property.Ð ¯)i$' ÐÌà b àArticle€56.€€Citizens€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€shall€have€the€right€toÐ +G&) Ðâ âlodge€complaints€against€the€actions€of€officials€and€of€State€and€publicÐ |,6'* Ðbodies.€€Such€complaints€must€be€examined€under€the€procedures€and€within€theÐ F Ðtime€limits€established€by€law.€€Ð 5ï Ðâ âÌà b àAppeal€against€actions€by€officials€in€breach€of€the€law€or€exceedingÐ Í Ðtheir€authority€that€impinge€citizens'€rights€may€be€lodged€with€the€courtsÐ  ¼ Ðaccording€to€the€procedure€established€by€law.€€Ð ñ « ÐÌÐ  Ï ‰ Ðà b àCitizens€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€shall€have€the€right€to€compensationÐ F Ðfor€damage€caused€by€the€unlawful€actions€of€government€organizations,Ð 5ï Ðpolitical€parties,€trade€unions€and€public€organizations,€or€officials€in€theÐ $Þ Ðcourse€of€their€duties.Ð Í ÐÌÑ€ Ñ31.à b àThe€proclamation€of€these€rights€in€the€Constitution€means€that€theirÐ ñ « Ðapplicability€arises€directly€from€the€country's€basic€law€and€this€reinforcesÐ à š Ðthe€guarantees€of€their€protection.Ð Ï ‰ ÐÌ32.à b àViolations€of€the€human€rights€and€freedoms€stipulated€by€theÐ ­ g  ÐConstitution€are€forbidden€in€national€legislation€and€are€severely€punished.€€Ð œV  Ðà b àA€whole€chapter€of€the€Criminal€Code€is€devoted€to€crimes€againstÐ ‹E  Ðcitizens'€political€rights,€setting€forth€the€penalties€under€criminal€lawÐ z4  Ðforobstructing€equality€of€rights€for€women€(art.131),€violations€of€theÐ i#  Ðinviolability€of€the€home€(art.132),€violations€of€the€confidentiality€ofÐ X  Ðletters,€telephone€conversations€and€communications€by€telegraph€(art.133),Ð G Ðobstruction€of€citizens'€right€to€vote€(art.134),€forgery€of€electoralÐ 6ð Ðdocuments,€irregularities€in€the€counting€of€votes€or€violations€of€theÐ %ß Ðprinciple€of€the€secret€ballot€(art.135),€infringement€of€labour€legislation,Ð Î Ði.e.€the€unlawful€sacking€of€workers€for€personal€motives€or€failure€to€carryÐ ½ Ðout€court€orders€on€reinstatement,€and€other€infringements€of€labourÐ ò¬ Ðlegislation€by€State€officials€or€public€enterprises,€institutions€andÐ á› Ðorganizations€(art.136),€violations€of€industrial€safety€regulations€byРЊ Ðofficials,€if€these€put€the€life€and€health€of€workers€at€risk€or€resultÐ ¿y Ðininjury€(art.137),€violations€of€the€labour€rights€of€pregnant€women€orÐ ®h Ðnursingmothers€(art.138),€persecution€of€citizens€for€voicing€criticismsÐ W Ð(art.138-1),€violations€of€the€rights€of€trade€unions€(art.139),€violationsÐ ŒF Ðof€intellectual€property€rights€(art.€140),€interference€with€religiousÐ {5 Ðceremonies€(art.€142).€Ð j$ Ðà b àÌ33.à b àFurthermore,€the€Criminal€Code€contains€many€provisions€punishingÐ H! Ðattempts€on€or€any€other€kind€of€infringements€of€the€physical€inviolabilityÐ 7"ñ Ðofindividuals€(chap.€3€„€Crimes€against€the€individual).Ð &#à  ÐÌ34.à b àThe€protection€of€human€rights€is€provided€for€in€various€fundamentalÐ %¾" Ðlegal€documents€and€in€various€branches€of€law,€in€particular:€€the€CriminalÐ ó%­ # ÐCode,€the€Code€of€Criminal€Procedure,€the€Civil€Code,€the€Code€of€CivilÐ â&œ!$ ÐProcedure,€the€Correctional„Labour€Code,€the€Code€on€Marriage€and€the€Family,Ð Ñ'‹"% Ðand€the€freedom€of€religion,€mass€media,€political€parties€and€citizenshipÐ À(z#& ÐActs.Ð ¯)i$' ÐÌà@–àJudicial,€Administrative€and€other€Competent€Bodies€with€JurisdictionˆÐ +G&) Ðà@DD,–àover€Human€RightsˆÐ |,6'* ÐÐ k-%(+ ÐÑ Ñâ  âÑØØÑÑ¥}Ñâ  âÑ  Ñà@àà+–àThe€Judicial€SystemˆÐ F ÐÌ35.à b àIn€accordance€with€article€163€of€the€Constitution:€€"Justice€shall€beÐ $Þ Ðadministered€in€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€only€by€the€courts."€€These€are:Ð Í ÐÌà b àThe€Supreme€Court€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic;Ð ñ « ÐÌà b àThe€Supreme€Court€of€the€Nakhichevan€Autonomous€Republic;Ð Ï ‰ ÐÌà b àThe€Baky€Town€Court;Ð ­ g  ÐÌà b àThe€district€(town)€people's€courts;Ð ‹E  ÐÌà b àMilitary€tribunals.Ð i#  ÐÌÑ€ Ñà b àThe€Constitutional€Court€envisaged€in€the€Basic€Law€has€not€yet€beenÐ G Ðcreated.€€A€bill€on€the€Constitutional€Court€is€currently€in€preparation.Ð 6ð ÐÌ36.à b àThe€organization€and€operating€procedures€of€courts€in€the€AzerbaijaniÐ Î ÐRepublic€are€defined€in€the€Law€"On€the€judicial€system€of€the€AzerbaijaniÐ ½ ÐRepublic"€of€26€June€1990.Ð ò¬ ÐÌà b àThe€Law€"On€the€judicial€system€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic"€defines€theРЊ Ðtasks€of€the€courts,€requiring€them€in€administering€justice€to€defend€againstÐ ¿y Ðany€infringement€the€social€order€and€political€and€economic€systems€laidÐ ®h Ðdownin€the€Constitution€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic;€the€sovereignty€of€theÐ W ÐAzerbaijani€Republic;€citizens'€socio„economic,€political€and€personal€rightsÐ ŒF Ðand€freedoms€as€proclaimed€in€and€guaranteed€by€the€Constitution,€and€the€lawsÐ {5 Ðpassed€in€accordance€with€them;€the€rights€and€legal€interests€of€enterprises,Ð j$ Ðinstitutions€and€organizations,€amalgamations€of€such€enterprises,Ð Y  Ðinstitutions€and€organizations,€and€public€organizations.Ð H! ÐÌà b àEverything€the€courts€do€is€intended€to€strengthen€by€all€possible€meansÐ &#à  Ðthe€legal€institutions€of€the€State,€legality€and€law€and€order,€to€uphold€theÐ $Ï! Ðprinciple€of€social€justice,€to€ensure€democracy€and€continued€development€ofÐ %¾" Ðpopular€self-determination,€to€prevent€infringements€of€the€law,€to€inculcateÐ ó%­ # Ðin€citizens€strict€and€unswerving€compliance€with€the€Constitution€of€theÐ â&œ!$ ÐAzerbaijani€Republic€and€the€laws€passed€in€accordance€with€it,€and€to€respectÐ Ñ'‹"% Ðcitizens'€rights,€honour€and€dignity€(art.€3).Ð À(z#& ÐÌà b àThe€Constitution€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€enshrines€the€principle€ofÐ ž*X%( Ðan€independent€judicial€system.€€Judges€and€people's€assessors€are€independentÐ +G&) Ðand€are€answerable€only€to€the€law.Ð |,6'* Ðâ âÐ k-%(+ ÐÑ Ñâ  âÑØØÑÑ}¥Ñâ  âÑ  Ñà b àJudges€and€people's€assessors€are€guaranteed€conditions€such€that€theyÐ F Ðmay€exercise€their€rights€and€fulfil€their€responsibilities€effectively€andÐ 5ï Ðwithout€hindrance.Ð $Þ Ðâ âÌà b àAny€interference€with€the€administration€of€justice€by€judges€andÐ  ¼ Ðpeople's€assessors€is€inadmissible€and€punishable€by€law.Ð ñ « ÐÌà b àJustice€is€administered€in€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€on€the€principle€thatÐ Ï ‰ Ðall€citizens€are€equal€before€the€law€and€the€courts€(art.€168),€irrespectiveÐ ¾ x Ðof€birth,€social,€professional€or€property€status,€race€or€nationality,€sex,Ð ­ g  Ðeducation,€language,€religion,€type€and€nature€of€occupation,€place€ofÐ œV  Ðresidence€and€other€factors€(art.€6).Ð ‹E  ÐÌà b àJustice€is€administered€in€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€in€the€followingÐ i#  Ðways:Ð X  ÐÌà0 b àCivil€cases,€involving€the€defence€of€the€rights€and€legal€interests€ofÐ 6ð Ðcitizens,€enterprises,€institutions€and€organizations,€are€examined€andÐ %ß Ðsettled€at€judicial€hearings;ÐÎb$b$ ÐÌà0 b àCriminal€cases€are€examined€at€judicial€hearings,€the€accused€are€judged,Ð ò¬ Ðthen€those€guilty€of€a€crime€are€sentenced€to€the€punishments€fixed€byÐ á› Ðlaw,€or€the€innocent€are€acquitted€(art.€4).ÐЊb$b$ ÐÌà b àPeople's€judges€and€judges€in€administrative€and€executive€matters€atÐ ®h Ðdistrict€(town)€people's€courts€deal€with€administrative€infringements€of€theÐ W Ðlaw€assigned€to€their€jurisdiction€by€the€legislation€of€the€AzerbaijaniÐ ŒF ÐRepublic€(art.€5).Ð {5 ÐÌà@||*–àAdministrative€bodiesˆÐ Y  ÐÌ37.à b àThe€Head€of€State€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€is€the€President€of€theÐ 7"ñ ÐAzerbaijani€Republic.Ð &#à  ÐÌà b àThe€President€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€exercises€supreme€executiveÐ %¾" Ðpower€in€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€and€presides€over€the€Cabinet€of€MinistersÐ ó%­ # Ðof€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€(art.€121„1€of€the€Constitution).Ð â&œ!$ ÐÌà b àThe€Cabinet€of€Ministers€is€an€executive€and€decision„making€body€of€theÐ À(z#& ÐAzerbaijani€Republic€subordinate€to€the€President€of€the€Azerbaijani€RepublicÐ ¯)i$' Ð(art.€122).Ð ž*X%( Ðâ âÐ +G&) Ðà b àThe€Cabinet€of€Ministers€consists€of€the€Prime€Minister,€his€deputies,Ð F Ðministers€and€the€heads€of€other€central€bodies€of€the€State€administration€ofÐ 5ï Ðthe€Azerbaijani€Republic€(art.€123).Ð $Þ Ðâ âÌà b àThe€Office€of€the€Public€Prosecutor€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€ensuresÐ  ¼ Ðthat€its€laws€are€followed€strictly€and€uniformly€by€the€organs€of€the€StateÐ ñ « Ðadministration,€enterprises,€institutions€and€organizations,€the€localÐ à š Ðauthorities,€public€organizations€and€officials,€and€by€citizens€within€theÐ Ï ‰ Ðterritory€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€(art.€176).Ð ¾ x ÐÌà@´´(–àMeans€of€Legal€ProtectionˆÐ œV  ÐÌ38.à b àAny€resident€of€the€Republic€of€Azerbaijan€who€suffers€an€infringement€ofÐ z4  Ðhis€basic€rights€has€at€his€disposal€a€whole€range€of€different€means€allowingÐ i#  Ðhim€to€resolve€this€situation,€irrespective€of€whether€the€infringement€wasÐ X  Ðcommitted€by€private€individuals€or€resulted€from€the€actions€of€StateÐ G Ðofficials.Ð 6ð ÐÌ39.à b àArticle50€of€the€Code€of€Criminal€Procedure€states€that€an€injuredÐ Î Ðparty,€i.e.€anyone€who€has€suffered€damage€to€his€reputation,€person€orÐ ½ Ðproperty€as€a€result€of€a€crime,€and€his€representative€have€the€right€to:€Ð ò¬ Ðsubmit€evidence;€petition€the€court;€examine€all€documents€relating€to€a€caseÐ á› Ðonce€the€preliminary€investigation€has€been€concluded;€take€part€in€the€courtРЊ Ðexamination;€raise€objections,€lodge€a€complaint€against€the€person€leadingÐ ¿y Ðthe€inquiry,€the€investigator,€the€public€prosecutor€or€the€court,€and€appealÐ ®h Ðagainst€the€verdict€or€judgement€of€the€court€and€the€decisions€of€people'sÐ W Ðjudges.Ð ŒF ÐÌà b àAnyone€who€has€suffered€material€damage€as€a€result€of€a€crime€isÐ j$ Ðentitled€in€the€course€of€the€criminal€hearing€to€bring€a€civil€action€against€Ð  Y  Ðthe€accused€or€those€persons€materially€responsible€for€the€actions€of€theÐ F Ðaccused,€and€this€civil€action€will€be€examined€by€the€court€at€the€same€timeÐ 5ï Ðas€the€criminal€charges€(art.51).Ð $Þ ÐÌà b àA€criminal€case€may€be€brought€in€response€to:€€Ð  ¼ ÐÌà0 b à1.à ™ àA€statement€made€by€a€citizen;Ðà šb$b$ ÐÌà0 b à2.à ™ àInformation€provided€by€a€trade€union€or€other€public€organization;о xb$b$ ÐÌà0 b à3.à0™ b$b$àInformation€provided€by€an€enterprise,€institution,€organization€orÐ œV  Ðofficial;ЋE ™ $™ $ ÐÌà0 b à4.à ™ àInformation€published€in€the€press;Ði# b$b$ ÐÌà0 b à5.à ™ àA€confession;ÐGb$b$ ÐÌà0 b à6.à0™ b$b$àThe€direct€discovery€by€a€prosecutor,€investigator,€agency€leadingÐ %ß Ðan€inquiry€or€court€of€circumstances€indicating€that€a€crime€hasÐ Î Ðbeen€committed€(art.104).н™ $™ $ ÐÌà b àThe€defendant,€his€counsel€and€legal€representative,€and€the€injuredÐ á› Ðparty€and€his€legal€representative,€may€appeal€to€have€the€court's€verdictРЊ Ðquashed.Ð ¿y ÐÌà b àThe€public€prosecutor€is€required€to€apply€for€any€unlawful€orÐ W Ðunjustified€verdict€to€be€quashed,€irrespective€of€whether€he€supported€theÐ ŒF Ðprosecution€in€the€court€of€first€instance.Ð {5 ÐÌà b àThe€civil€plaintiff,€civil€respondent€and€their€representatives€mayÐ Y  Ðprotest€against€that€part€of€the€verdict€which€concerns€the€civil€suit.Ð H! ÐÌà b àAnyone€acquitted€by€the€court€may€lodge€an€appeal€against€the€verdict€onÐ &#à  Ðaccount€of€the€motives€or€grounds€for€acquittal€(art.344).Ð $Ï! ÐÌà@š š –àOther€Measures€Taken€to€Ensure€that€ProvisionsˆÐ ó%­ # Ðà@PP'–àof€the€Covenant€are€AppliedˆÐ â&œ!$ ÐÌ40.à b àThe€Azerbaijani€Republic,€having€ratified€the€Covenant€and€therebyÐ À(z#& Ðrecognized€all€the€provisions€set€forth€within€it,€has€undertaken€a€detailedÐ ¯)i$' Ðrevision€of€the€judicial€acts€currently€in€force€in€order€to€put€theÐ ž*X%( Ðprinciples€behind€these€provisions€into€practice.Ð +G&) Ðâ âÐ |,6'* Ð41.à b àIn€the€very€brief€time€since€the€adoption€of€the€Constitutional€ActÐ F Ðâ âonthe€State€Independence€of€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€on€18October1991,Ð 5ï Ðsignificant€moves€have€been€made€towards€democratic€reform,€the€safeguardingÐ $Þ Ðof€human€rights€and€freedoms€by€the€State€and€the€construction€of€aÐ Í Ðdemocratic,€law-based€State.Ð  ¼ ÐÌ42.à b àAll€sections€of€society€are€actively€involved€in€the€reform€process,Ð à š Ðthrough€numerous€political€organizations€and€associations€of€a€non-politicalÐ Ï ‰ Ðcharacter€which€enjoy€complete€freedom€of€speech€and€association.Ð ¾ x ÐÌ43.à b àWork€is€under€way€in€the€Republic€on€a€large€number€of€new€laws.€Ð œV  ÐInaddition€to€the€political€parties,€social€organizations,€mass€media,Ð ‹E  Ðeducation,€freedom€of€religion€and€official€language€Acts€already€passed€andÐ z4  Ðthe€numerous€amendments€to€other€Azerbaijani€legislation€and€to€a€small€numberÐ i#  Ðof€laws€of€the€formerUSSR€which€have€remained€in€force€within€the€territoryÐ X  Ðof€the€Republic,€new€bills€on€health,€trades€unions€and€freedom€of€entry€toÐ G Ðand€exit€from€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€have€been€presented€to€the€ParliamentÐ 6ð Ðof€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€and€work€is€under€way€on€a€new€ConstitutionÐ %ß Ð(BasicLaw).Ð Î ÐÌ44.à b àThe€Azerbaijani€Republic€has€also€acceded€to€a€number€of€internationalÐ ò¬ Ðlegal€documents€on€human€rights.€€Besides€the€International€Covenant€on€CivilÐ á› Ðand€Political€Rights,€these€include€the€International€Covenant€on€Economic,РЊ ÐSocial€and€Cultural€Rights,€the€UnitedNations€Convention€on€the€Rights€of€theÐ ¿y ÐChild,€the€World€Declaration€on€the€Survival,€Protection€and€Development€ofÐ ®h ÐChildren,€the€Geneva€Conventions,€the€Convention€on€the€Political€Rights€ofÐ W ÐWomen,€the€Convention€and€Protocol€relating€to€the€Status€of€Refugees,€theÐ ŒF ÐUnitedNations€Standard€Minimum€Rules€for€the€Administration€of€JuvenileÐ {5 ÐJustice,€and€Conventions€of€the€International€Labour€Organisation.€€TheÐ j$ ÐNational€Assembly€of€Azerbaijan€is€considering€proposals€from€variousÐ Y  Ðorganizations,€enterprises,€ministries,€departments€and€public€associationsÐ H! Ðforaccession€to€a€large€number€of€international€legal€documents.Ð 7"ñ ÐÌ45.à b àThe€processes€of€building€a€democratic€society€and€implementing€economicÐ $Ï! Ðreform€have€been€beset€by€fundamental€difficulties€due€to€the€war€forced€onÐ %¾" ÐAzerbaijan,€which€has€continued€for€more€than€five€years€and€has€led€toÐ ó%­ # Ðtheoccupation€of€a€significant€part€of€the€territory€of€Azerbaijan€by€theÐ â&œ!$ Ðneighbouring€Republic€of€Armenia.€€The€aggression€by€the€Republic€of€ArmeniaÐ Ñ'‹"% Ðhas€led€to€huge€losses€amongst€the€civilian€population,€and€more€than€aÐ À(z#& Ðmillion€people€have€become€refugees€or€have€been€forced€to€resettle.Ð ¯)i$' ÐÌ46.à b àIn€spite€of€this,€the€Azerbaijani€Republic€reaffirms€its€commitments:€Ð +G&) Ðâ âitwill€make€every€effort€within€its€power€to€carry€out€democratic€reforms,Ð |,6'* Ðenable€basic€human€rights€and€freedoms€to€be€afforded€and€respected,€andÐ F Ðconstruct€a€democratic,€secular€State.Ð 5ï Ðâ âÌÌà@œœ2–à„„„„„ˆÌÌ