Date set for snap parliamentary election
On 27 June, Azerbaijan’s constitutional court reviewed president Aliyev’s submission concerning the parliament’s request to dissolve itself and call a snap election. The court confirmed the compliance of the parliament’s request to the laws. On 28 June, president Aliyev signed a decree calling an early parliamentary election for 1 September. Opposition leader Jamil Hasanli stated that the official justification for snap parliamentary election is unconstitutional and more fundamentally, the fact that the parliament demanded its own dissolution does not follow any legal logic. The official reason for the snap election is hosting COP29 in November when the election was supposed to take place. In the constitution, the parliament can only be dissolved under certain conditions, such as showing no confidence in the executive government – but hosting an international event is not one of them. Hence, Hasanli said the constitutional court’s decision was political and in breach of the legislation. Independent legal analysts voiced the same opinion. September 1 election will be the fourth election in a row – presidential and parliamentary combined – rescheduled to an earlier date. Critics believe this is also to catch the potential opponents unprepared.
US Deputy Secretary of State in Baku
On 27 June, United States' top diplomat for Europe and Eurasia, Assistant Secretary of State, James O’Brien embarked on an official visit to Baku, where he met with president Aliyev, foreign minister Bayramov and civil society representatives, notably Gubad Ibadoghlu. O’Brien said he had “a serious discussion on a range of issues” with Aliyev and that the US wants strong relations with Azerbaijan. During his trip, O’Brien placed a particular emphasis on the completing peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the development of the Middle Corridor project that would pass through two countries, connecting the Eurasia continent while bypassing Russia and Iran. At a meeting with civil society representatives and lawyers, O’Brien reiterated the United States’ call on the Azerbaijani government “to adhere to its international human rights obligations.” At a briefing for local journalists later, O’Brien stressed that “independent journalism all over the world and continue to do so” and that he asserted this in the meetings with officials.
Land border closure extended
On 24 June, prime minister Ali Asadov announced the prolongation of the special quarantine regime in Azerbaijan till October 1st. The country’s land borders will remain closed in the meantime. The decision came under the pretext “to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the country and the consequences it may cause” – although in April, president Aliyev noted that the land borders were kept closed due to security reasons.
Side event in UN on attacks on press in Azerbaijan
On 27 June, during the 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council session, Azerbaijani and international NGOs organized a side event on the recent crackdown on independent media outlets in the country. Speakers included representatives of Toplum TV and Kanal 13, two news platforms that were subjected to arrests recently. Emin Huseynov, director of the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety, emphasized the fact that there are over 300 political prisoners – 30 of which are journalists – in a country that is going to host the UN climate conference COP29.