The Commissioner met with the Chairperson of the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children via video conference

On November 5, 2020, the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ms. Sabina Aliyeva held an online meeting with the Chairperson of the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC) and the Scottish Ombudsman for Children’s Rights, Mr. Bruce Adamson.

During the meeting, the Commissioner congratulated Mr. Adamson on his election as the head of the network and wished him success in his work. The Ombudsman also spoke about the importance of the activities of this organization, which acts as an association of ombudsmen working in the field of children’s rights in the European region, in the field of effective protection of children's rights. She has noted that special attention should be paid to ensuring the rights of children in vulnerable groups in the fight against COVID-19.

The Commissioner also informed about the measures taken to effectively protect the rights of children during the pandemic, and appealed to the relevant government agencies in this regard. Ms. Aliyeva noted that 11 children were killed, 48 were injured and four children lost both parents as a result of deliberate heavy artillery and rocket fire by the Armenian armed forces on September 27, 2020, in densely populated Azerbaijani settlements.

The Commissioner brought to the attention the fact that Azerbaijani civilian settlements were exposed to rocket attacks by Armenia as a gross violation of international humanitarian law. It was noted that the Commissioner carried out fact-finding missions in the areas where civilian objects destroyed as a result of war crimes committed by Armenia and 5 interim reports were developed and sent to relevant international organizations on the basis of factual materials obtained as a result of the investigation.

It was also stated that the failure of the international community to condemn the attacks on civilians and the lack of a proper legal assessment of such cases further aggravates Armenia side. The Commissioner noted that she has issued statements in order to prevent war crimes committed by Armenia and gross violations of international humanitarian law, human rights and freedoms, and informed the relevant international organizations about the current situation.

The Commissioner also invited the chairperson of the organization and experts in the field of children’s rights, whom he could recommend, to Azerbaijan in order to conduct an on-site investigation into the victims of attacks by the Armenian armed forces.

In conclusion, Sabina Aliyeva noted that the the international community should not remain indifferent to these human rights violations and react accordingly.