Azerbaijani Ombudsman’s newsletter

20.09.2019

The Ombudsman participated in the Council of Europe (CoE) High-level conference “Our Rights, Our Freedoms and Our Europe” on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the organization in Baku city.

The conference brought together the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law of the Council of Europe, the Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs, the head of the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE, and other officials, as well country NGOs, media representatives.

As a key-note speaker the Ombudsman noted many significant reforms in the field of human rights made in the country. It was noted that the Ombudsman recommended the state to ratify the Lanzarote and Istanbul Conventions, also European Social Charter.

The Ombudsman informed the participants about the implementation of the EU/CoE joint Project on combating discrimination and hate speech. It was also noted that the Ombudsman Institution, CoE and the country Press Council jointly implemented Project on “Gender Equality and Media”.

The Ombudsman especially drew attention of the participants to the Nagorno Karabakh armed conflict, pointing out to the PACE Resolution 1416, which affirms the occupation of large percent of territories of Azerbaijan by Armenian armed forces and the control of the separatist regime over the Nagorno-Karabakh region as well as the right of refugees in this conflict to return back to their homes.

The Ombudsman emphasized the significance of enhancing joint activities, with CoE in specific topics of human rights by involving competent state bodies and NGOs.