An international conference dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was held

The International Conference on "Human Rights - 75 Baku Conference: Promoting Universality and Indivisibility to Address Global and National Challenges," dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), has started with the joint organization of the Office of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office in Azerbaijan, and the Bar Association.

The representatives from state institutions, international organizations, and civil society members took part in the conference.

Opening the event, Sabina Aliyeva, the Ombudsman of Azerbaijan, said that the UDHR, which this year marks the 75^th anniversary of its adoption, was a core and exemplary document for the formulation of the national legal frameworks of the UN Member States, including Azerbaijan.   

The Ombudsman said that the protection and promotion of human rights and freedoms in our country were always given great attention, the legal mechanism was regularly improved in conformity with international legal norms accordingly, and extensive opportunities were created to accelerate the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

The Ombudsman noted today that the global community ignored the mass violations of human rights stipulated in the UDHR and other international documents, highlighting that Azerbaijan is one of the countries most affected by double standards and discriminatory attitudes. Furthermore, the Ombudsman pointed out that for many years, Armenia has pursued a policy of ethnic cleansing, deportation, and genocide against Azerbaijanis based on intense hatred.

The Ombudsman also stressed that the discovery of mass graves, the destruction of cities and villages, and historical, cultural, and religious monuments and contamination with landmines in our territories held under occupation for nearly thirty years but liberated as a result of the Second Karabakh War evidenced this policy pursued against our country. S. Aliyeva also said that it is a concern about the lack of clarity regarding the fate of nearly 4,000 compatriots who went missing during the First Karabakh War.

During the conference, the UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan, Vladanka Andreeva, the Member of the Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights, Zahid Oruj, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Yalchin Rafiyev, Senior Human Rights Adviser for the South Caucasus Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Vladimir Shkolnikov, and the Chairman of the Bar Association of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Anar Bagirov, delivered speeches, emphasizing the importance of the UDHR in promoting and protecting human rights. The speakers spoke about the national implementation of this Declaration and its positive impacts.

Afterwards, the video message of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, was listened to.

During the event, panel discussions on "Protection of human rights in Azerbaijan: Achievements and challenges" and "Broadening tools and methodologies to promote and respect human rights, the role of civil society" were organized. Speeches on the topics were heard, and broad discussions and exchanges of ideas took place in the panel discussions. The discussions on recommendations and future collaboration prospects were also discussed in panels.