The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Azerbaijan attaches great attention to the protection of vulnerable groups of population in the society such as refugees, internally displaced persons, migrants, women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and national minorities as well as convicted and arrested persons, military servants and others.

One of the main directions of activities of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan is to explore the situation on ensuring of children’s rights, protect those rights, and restore violated rights. Since the very beginning of the activity, the Ombudsman has appointed the specialized advisor in order to provide protection and advocacy of children’s rights and coordinate the work on elimination of problems encountered by children.

In order to implement the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) with two Optional Protocols and the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the Rights of the Child and to enhance educational work on human rights, the Commissioner gives great attention to legal awareness activities as well as conducts numerous events on the public awareness and protection of children’s rights.

Annually at the initiative of the Commissioner month long campaigns across the country are regularly held (20 October-20 November) on the occasion of the anniversary of the adoption of CRC. The aim of these month long campaigns is to improve the situation in and attention to protection of child rights.

Regarding our activities towards the 27^th anniversary of the CRC, we are pleased to inform you that traditional Child Rights Month Long Campaign will continue its work from the 20^th October up to the 20^th November, 2016.

Within this campaign the Commissioner addressed the motion to the corresponding central and local executive institutions, NGOs, mass media, communities and other organizations regarding the implementation of necessary measures and events during this month.

According to these motions, those bodies also the Regional Offices of the Ombudsman, located in Ganja, Guba, Sheki and Jalilabad regions organize awareness raising and other events such as seminars, round-table discussions, exhibitions, painting, essay and competitions on children’s rights, covering early marriages, elimination of violence against children, reproductive health, and healthy lifestyle in the secondary schools and child care institutions in urban and rural districts of the country. Representatives of the local executive powers, municipalities, as well as teachers, students and parents are among attendants.

Annually child paintings competitions devoted to the topic “Me and my rights” are holding on the occasion of adoption the CRC. The winners are awarded with certificates.

Based on her competences in relation to the child rights, the Commissioner for human rights on the occasion of December 10 – International Human Rights Day is launching joint international conference with the UNHCR Baku Office on the occasion of the international day of human rights.

The Commissioner for Human Rights

(Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbajan

Prof. Elmira Suleymanova