Elchin Mirzabayli: Europe shows double standards on Armenia

Political and civil rights violations, as well as restrictions on freedom of speech and thought in Armenia, are not new, Azerbaijani MP Elchin Mirzabayli told Report.

Mirzabayli noted that Europe's reaction to such incidents occurring in Armenia, both during previous governments and in subsequent periods, has been openly witnessed:

"In fact, traditional double standards manifest themselves in all aspects. When European politicians' interests are served, or events align with their geopolitical interests, even the most negative events are presented almost as examples of democracy.

However, when events do not align with their interests, they do not hesitate to portray even steps taken by governments against criminal incidents as total human rights violations. The situation that has emerged in the world today regarding human rights and freedoms, as well as the rights of states, the trampling of norms and principles of international law, and the paralysis of security mechanisms are the result of the double and hypocritical policies Europe has demonstrated for many years."

According to him, this approach has also openly manifested itself in the attitude toward the processes taking place in Armenia under current circumstances:

"Here, of course, the issue is not about Nikol Pashinyan's victory in elections or the revanchist sentiment of forces opposing him. The issue is about principles. Ultimately, the main thesis that Europe has been trying to present to the world for many years is related to being a defender of human rights and freedoms and democratic values."

The MP stated that the approaches observed – whether in the attitude toward Azerbaijan and its territorial integrity in previous periods, the indifference displayed toward the violation of the rights of more than one million people, or the positions exhibited toward processes in individual countries, including Georgia – demonstrate that the concept of principle is selective for Europe.

"The silence and hypocritical attitude demonstrated toward serious human rights violations in Armenia once again confirms this," he concluded.