Activity of the Ombudsman in the field of ensuring the right to information has been developed

According to the Constitutional Law on the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Commissioner supervises the execution of duties by the information holding state bodies, municipalities, and state officials in accordance with the requirements of the “Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Access to Information”.  

The Commissioner promptly investigates complaints about violations of the relevant Law by all information holding agencies. The Ombudsman institution sends inquiries to relevant authorities for the elimination of violations and responds accordingly. 

The Commissioner Sabina Aliyeva has initiated to establish the Department for the Protection of the Right of Access to Information within the premises of the Ombudsman Office in order to fulfill the powers established under Article 50 of the Constitution of Azerbaijan, as well as pursuant to the Constitutional Law on the Ombudsman and the Law on Access to Information to further improve the activities in the relevant field.

In accordance with the legislation, the Department is responsible for ensuring the right of access to information at a national level, handles incoming appeals about the violation of the right of access to information, and organizes legal awareness and educational activities, conducts monitoring and analyses to promote that right.

The target 16.10 under the UN Sustainable Development Goals considers ensuring public access to information and protecting fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international treaties. Sustainable development in this field is one of the priorities of the state policy in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Freedom of information is an important feature of a society that guarantees human rights and freedoms, and it is one of the main needs of citizens to be aware of the dynamic processes taking place in society. For this reason, the protection of the right of access to information is always in the focus of the Commissioner.