An online meeting of Ombudsmen of Turkic-speaking countries was held

On November 4, 2020, an online meeting of Ombudsmen of Turkic-speaking countries has been held. The meeting has brought together the ombudspersons from Azerbaijan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

During the meeting, the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ms. Sabina Aliyeva delivered a speech. She first expressed her condolences to the families of those killed in the earthquake in Izmir, Turkey, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Later, the Commissioner underlined the importance of the establishment of the Association of Ombudsmen of Turkic-countries to ensure more effective protection of human rights, and exchange of experiences in the concerned field, also saying that she is ready to give all feasible support to the process of establishment of such an Association.

The Commissioner also said that Azerbaijan Ombudsman Institution continues its cooperation with International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), Asian Ombudsman Association (AOA), Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions(GANHRI) and European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI).

The Commissioner noted that she closely follows the appeals of the UN Special Rapporteurs concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, and therefore, she called on the relevant state agencies in this regard through various statements that she issued on ensuring the rights of vulnerable groups. She also noted that although the HRCA temporarily suspended the reception of people due to the current pandemic, applications and complaints are continued to be accepted via e-mail, online, telephone, fax and social networks.

Sabina Aliyeva also stated since 27 September 2020, the Armenian armed forces continue deliberate attacks on cities of Ganja and Mingachevir, Horadiz, Barda, Agdam, Agjabadi, Beylagan, Tartar, Jabrayil, Khizi, Absheron regions, as well as other populated areas of Azerbaijan. The participants were briefed about bombings of civilian settlements using heavy artillery and missiles. It was told that the Ombudsman of Azerbaijan has carried out five fact-finding missions in the conflict-affected areas and made seven Statements, two appeals and five Interim Reports concerning killing and wounding of civilians and the damage to civilian infrastructure.

The Commissioner also thanked the Turkish Ombudsman, who paid an official visit to Azerbaijan at her invitation and conducted on-site investigation concerning the loss of life caused by missile attacks fired by the Armenian military on civilians in Ganja. Furthermore, Ms. Aliyeva said that even though there are four UNSC Resolutions, Armenia that keeps territories of Azerbaijan under its occupation for 30 years, is a real obstacle to peace in the region, and the international community should not be indifferent to it.

Ms.Sabina Aliyeva invited the ombudspersons of Turkic-speaking countries to Azerbaijan to investigate the war crimes committed by Armenia against the civilian population.

Noting the importance of the issues raised by the Commissioner, the participants expressed hope that the Azerbaijani lands would soon be liberated from the occupation and mass violations of human rights would end.

Then the event continued with the discussion of other issues.