The Ombudsman of Azerbaijan focuses on protection of the rights vulnerable groups of population as well as the children’s rights during the global outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

During the ongoing outbreak of the infection in the country the Ombudsman has issued many calls addressed to the relevant state bodies,public and private sector stressing the necessity of paying further attention to protection of vulnerable groups of population from the virus and meeting their urgent needs during the special quarantine regime declared on 24 March 2020. The course of current coronavirus pandemic shows that children are not equally exposed to the negative impact of the globalized infectious diseases, but in many cases they are more vulnerable. The Ombudsman keeps the current situation in the state-run childcare institutions in focus.

The staff of the Ombudsman Institution monitored the state of ensuring children’s rights and treatment to them in these institutions. They also examined the detention conditions, rendering of effective health care services and the state of access to them. The children, their parents and legal representatives have access to the Ombudsman via 24/7 hotline (012-916 and 050-370-98-96). Also during the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic some staff members of the Ombudsman Institution voluntarily donated blood for the children suffering from blood diseases - thalassemia, leukemia to support to low-income families. The Ombudsman also actively participates in social activities for combating the infection in country. As such, the Ombudsman Institution prepared a short video message with participation of the kids of the staff members of the Institution to support the awareness raising campaign of #StayAtHome. Press Service