The Ombudsman Office and the International Committee of the Red Cross organized a joint roundtable

A joint roundtable on the topic of “Protection of Persons with Disabilities and Landmine Victims in Azerbaijan” was organized by the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Country Office of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The representatives of state institutions and civic organizations participated in the event.

Sabina Aliyeva, the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Dragana Kojic, the Head of the ICRC Delegation in Azerbaijan, delivered opening speeches and wished success to the event.

During her speech, the Ombudsman gave information about the mine terrorism committed by Armenia in our liberated territories, noting that landmines pose a threat to human life, hinder construction and building works, and impede the return of former IDPs to their native lands.

Despite multiple appeals, it was said that our country was not handed over accurate minefield maps. The Ombudsman highlighted that, since the Second Karabakh War, more than 330 people have fallen victim to landmines, with 65 losing their lives and 272 sustaining various degrees of bodily injuries.

S. Aliyeva gave information about her activities in the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs), highlighting the existence of a relevant unit within the premises. The Ombudsman presented an educational tool on ensuring the PWDs’ rights to the participants.

The experts who spoke at the seminar provided information on how to meet the needs of PWDs and mine victims, the protection of their rights, as well as activities carried out in other relevant areas and international experience. A broad exchange of ideas took place.