State representative Saša Magazinović placed on Azerbaijan's 'blacklist'

(Patria) - SDP BiH representative in the BiH Parliament Saša Magazinović has ended up on Azerbaijan's "blacklist" and has been banned from entering that country.

And how he ended up on the Azerbaijani blacklist, he explained in detail on social media.

"'There is an urgent piece of information for Mr. Saša Magazinović that I must convey as soon as possible!' was the message conveyed today to my associate by a diplomat of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

I thought it had to do with the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, which I was supposed to attend, but I cancelled my participation a few days ago for personal reasons.

A few minutes later, I spoke with him. The message from the Government that he needed to urgently convey was that I am on Azerbaijan's 'blacklist' and that I am banned from entering this country.

He asked me, not knowing that I was not coming, not to start the journey in order to avoid a diplomatic scandal and unpleasantness. He could not say what the reason for being placed on the 'blacklist' was. I wished him a pleasant day and ended the conversation.

Of course, I knew what the reason was. In January this year, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe voted on the revocation of the credentials (permits to participate in work) of the Azerbaijani delegation. I supported that resolution.

The reasons for this proposal were related to concerns about Azerbaijan's ability to conduct free and fair elections, questionable independence of the judiciary, disregard for human rights...

It was then noted that the leadership of Azerbaijan 'did not acknowledge the very serious humanitarian and human rights consequences' in Nagorno-Karabakh, and it was reminded of the condemnation of the 2023 military operation 'which led to the flight of the entire Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and to allegations of 'ethnic cleansing'.

Earlier, Council of Europe rapporteurs were not allowed to meet with persons detained under allegedly politically motivated charges, nor was the Council of Europe invited to observe the presidential elections in Azerbaijan.

At that time, we decided to adopt a decision not to confirm the credentials of the Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation, which cannot participate in the work of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe this year, while Azerbaijan remains a full member of the Council of Europe.

The result of the vote was 76 'in favor', 10 against, and 4 abstentions. Against were 9 deputies from Turkey and one deputy from Albania. Deputies from other Council of Europe states were 'in favor'. They are all probably on the 'blacklist', just no one told them.

At this moment, I have no additional information on what this 'sanction' entails, but I have no problem with it. I am neither the first nor the last politician to be treated this way by Azerbaijan. Their business, their mistake.

I stand by my vote and position from the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in January this year, believing that fundamental values, democracy and human rights as important foundations of the existence of the Council of Europe can and must be defended and protected when serious problems are identified," Magazinović stated on social media.