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Early day motion tabled by primary sponsor Mark Field (Conservative), on Monday, 10 October 2011, in the House of Commons. It is signed by 26 members in total.

AZERBAIJANI INDEPENDENCE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY

That this House congratulates Azerbaijan on the 20th anniversary of its independence from the Soviet Union on 18 October 1991; notes that in this time it has joined the Council of Europe and formed close links with the EU; recognises the vital assistance which it has provided to NATO in Iraq and Afghanistan; further recognises that it provides a valuable alternative source of oil and gas for the European market; applauds the fact that despite being a predominantly Muslim country it has thriving Christian and Jewish communities; further notes that it now has one of the fastest growing economies in the world and that the UK is the principal source of foreign direct investment; and wishes the country well on its path towards becoming a fully-fledged member of the community of European democratic states.

Amendments

The Early day motion has received an amendment.

AZERBAIJANI INDEPENDENCE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY (2204A1)
The Early day motion has received an amendment sponsored by Paul Flynn (primary, Labour) and tabled on Tuesday, 11 October 2011. It has been signed by 6 members in total.
leave out from `1991;' to end and add `notes the concern expressed by human rights groups that Azerbaijan has grown increasingly authoritarian in recent years; further notes with alarm the Human Rights Watch report, Beaten, Blacklisted and Behind Bars, which documents government efforts to limit freedom of expression and silence dissenting journalists; further notes that in 2010 Azerbaijan was further ranked 134 out of 178 in the World Corruption Index by Transparency International; is dismayed that Azerbaijan's independent election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Centre could not consider last year's election democratic, free and fair; is disappointed at the reports of voter intimidation and disqualification of opposition candidates highlighted by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe; is appalled at the brutal suppression of those who demonstrate against perceived corruption, including the jailing of two bloggers who mocked the government and the alleged harassment by police of citizens who voted for an Armenian song in the Eurovision Song Contest; and regrets the gullibility of those who place their trust in this oppressive government.'.

Secondary information

Type
Early day motion
Reference
2204 
2204A1 
Session
2010-12
Other sponsors
Gerry Sutcliffe
Mike Gapes
Mike Hancock
Stephen Gilbert
Penny Mordaunt
Subjects
Human rights Politics and government Asia
Link
View this Early day motion on www.parliament.uk