OSCE Office in Baku voices concern over establishment of the Bar Association

Baku, 11 November 2004 - The OSCE Office in Baku is concerned about recent developments in the course of legal reforms in Azerbaijan.

Attending the inaugural meeting of the Azerbaijan Bar Association last week, the OSCE Office in Baku observed that external nominations for key positions were not accepted prior to the meeting and the election process was conducted in a haphazard manner.

"The establishment of the Bar Association is an important step in establishing of a free and fair legal system in the country," said Ambassador Maurizio Pavesi, Head of the OSCE Office in Baku.

"We are concerned that the foundation meeting of this institution did not acknowledge the right to membership of the Bar Association of many licensed lawyers. All qualified lawyers should be able to file cases with all first-instance courts and the Constitutional Court."

Ambassador Pavesi emphasized the importance of the openness of the Bar Association to anyone qualified to practise in the country: "We call on the Bar Association and the Government of Azerbaijan to ensure that a transparent, fair and un-bureaucratic process for admission to the bar association is established without unnecessary delay."

The OSCE Office regards it as fundamental that the citizens of Azerbaijan are able to freely seek legal assistance from all lawyers capable of representing them.

The Office welcomes the co-operation of the Government and encourages greater inclusiveness and transparency in addressing these issues, which are critical to the development of an open, independent Bar Association, and a legal system that applies the best international practices and standards.