The Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) has called on the Bureau of the Assembly to set up an independent external investigation body to assess the functioning of the Assembly and shed light on hidden practices that favour corruption.
As the declaration adopted the unanimously by the committee reads the investigation will be the only measure which would end impunity for abuses and restore confidence in the Parliamentary Assembly, its actions and decisions.
The decision comes after allegations of corruption and fostering of interests made against some members or former members of the Parliamentary Assembly.
“Whether they prove to be founded or false, such allegations undermine the Assembly’s image and credibility as an institution and, in turn, the reputation of each and every one of its members. A number of parliamentary delegations have voiced concern over the situation and called for a swift and resolute response,” reads a part of the adopted text, published by PACE website.
To note most of the corruption allegations involving PACE delegates are linked with the Azerbaijani authorities. One particular example is the recent report by European Stability Initiative named “Caviar diplomacy: the European Swamp,” in which it describes blatant facts of corrupt schemes organized by the Azerbaijani authorities with the involvement of high-ranking European politicians. Expensive carpets worth thousands of euros were given away as gifts; so many that one Azerbaijani embassy had its own room for them. Luxury Vertu smart phones, handmade in the UK, were presented to supporters. Expensive watches and jewellery, silver sets and MacBookswere handed over to politicians, officials, even secretaries. Business contracts and paid holidays were part of the benefits. And then there was money: large sums, given in cash or transferred via anonymous companies.