Newsletter of Azerbaijani Ombudsman

The 18th meeting of Working Group (WG) on Business and Human Rights under the Ombudsman was held on the theme of “Ensuring right of access to information within the context of business and human rights”. The Ombudsman, representatives of relevant state bodies, NGOs, members of independent Council of Experts and of the WG under the Ombudsman took part at the meeting.

The Commissioner provided information about Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the target 16.10 of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She mentioned about proposals made by the WG on several issues such as rights and freedoms of vulnerable population groups, gender equality, rights of entrepreneurs, food security, safety in construction, environmental problems, consumer rights and others, also the ones submitted on improvement of legislation regarding the right of access to information. Those proposals were sent to relevant bodies, also included to the Commissioner’s annual reports and many of them were realized.

It was noted that the Commissioner supervises implementation of the Law on Access to Information according to this Law and to the Constitutional Law on Ombudsman, investigates complaints on infringement of its requirements by state bodies, municipalities and state officials.

She stated that in spite of deep reforms in development of Information and Communication Technologies, there are problems in disseminating personal data by mobile operators without consent of persons; difficulties faced by citizens making direct or indirect phone calls to certain departments of the companies, except for call centers; non-consideration of complainant’s position; failure of bodies to respond information requests; lack of network among e-service systems of bodies etc.

During the meeting, participants from relevant bodies made presentations on the theme, interactive discussions were held and proposals were provided on effectively ensuring the right of access to information.