Official Speeches and Remarks by Ambassador Anne E. Derse

US Ambassador remarks at the Human Rights Sensitivity Training

May 2, 2008

Ladies and gentlemen,

I want to thank all of you for being here today and for participating in these courses over the last several weeks. 

Each and every one of you is in the vanguard of Azerbaijan's efforts to develop as a modern, secular, prosperous, and democratic country.  This is the vision that was articulated by both former President Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev.  This is why Azerbaijan has joined the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.  This is why Azerbaijan has undertaken obligations to advance democratic reform and respect for human rights.  And this is how Azerbaijan will eventually realize its vast potential as a leader in the Caucasus, the Muslim world, and in Europe.

What does this mean?  It means that Azerbaijani citizens – like the citizens in all democratic countries -- have the right to express their views freely and peacefully, even when those views are opposed by a majority of their fellow citizens or when they are critical of their own government.  It means that Azerbaijani citizens have the right to assemble and demonstrate freely and peacefully – not merely in isolated, distant gathering spots, but downtown in full view of their government and fellow citizens.  It means that the press has the right to publish a variety of opinions and to expose corruption and malfeasance.

In a democracy, the police, internal troops and law enforcement authorities exist to uphold the law, maintain order, and protect and defend these inalienable rights.  Police and internal troops serve the good of the people and the nation, not the special interests, economic or political, of any individual or group. In a democracy, all citizens are equal before the law, not merely those with money, power, or special privileges.  And the policy and law enforcement authorities have a sacred duty to defend the people’s rights, while carrying out their function of ensuring public order.

This training will help you carry out this sacred duty.  Your parliament is expected to pass a new law in the coming weeks that will expand freedom of assembly.  Implementation of that law will depend, in large part, however, on your efforts.  Police and internal troops, quite simply, create the conditions to allow citizens to freely and peacefully assemble and express their views. This means maintaining the highest standards of human rights while maintaining order, even when protestors are hostile and belligerent. 

Elections present particular challenges to law enforcement.  This is when politicians seek to highlight their differences in an effort to attract the support of the voters.  But in democracies, politicians must be able to organize, rally their supporters, and demonstrate to express their views.  This is a reflection of a democracy's strength, not a sign of weakness.

Much of the criticism directed against Azerbaijan at the time of the 2003 and 2005 elections was the result of restrictions on freedom of assembly and police violence against protestors.  Recently, several citizens of Georgia and Armenia were wounded and killed following the violence in the wake of presidential elections. International community harshly criticized these tragedies.

Last July, President Aliyev called on you to "meet the world’s highest standards” of professionalism:.   He noted that police and internal troop’s employees, in fulfilling their responsibility to uphold the rule of law and maintain order, “must act in such a way that they win high respect of the people.”  He confirmed that Azerbaijanis are “building a modern country, integrating to Europe,” and that “in the next five years, in all fields, including in law enforcement sector, Azerbaijan should meet or be very close to the European Union standards. Therefore, logistics, appliances, acts, work, capacity, professionalism of Azeri police and internal troops must meet the highest world standards.”

As a friend and partner of Azerbaijan, the United States also calls on you to meet the highest global standards of respect for human rights during the rallies before and after the October elections.  By doing so, you have an opportunity to demonstrate Azerbaijan's commitment to and progress towards democracy, firmly establishing Azerbaijan as a regional leader in democratic reform.

Your professionalism and your participation in these courses is an excellent sign of your commitment to meet your President's expectations.  I congratulate each and every one of you. I also want to thank you, in advance, for the noble and challenging work you will do in the coming months in the service of your country, your fellow citizens, and universal human rights.

Thank you.