Ombudsman had a videoconference with Vladimir Shkolnikov

The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of Azerbaijan, Ms. Sabina Aliyeva held a videoconference with Mr. Vladimir Shkolnikov, Senior Human Rights Adviser of the OHCHR for South Caucasus. Mr. Kamran Bagirov, National Adviser OHCHR Baku Office, also attended the online conference.   

During the meeting, the parties have discussed the priorities of the cooperation between the Ombudsman Institution and OHCHR. It was also noted that through the military activity of Armenia in the frontline as well as far beyond areas with the aim to seize new territories, which also caused mass human losses and unnecessary destructions of civilian objects, it flagrantly violates international law, including the rules of the law of armed conflict. Furthermore, Ms.Sabina Aliyeva spoke about the civilian casualties, occurred as a result of such violations of international law, that also affected the vulnerable groups of the population, including children, women, older persons, persons with disabilities, refugees and internally displaced persons and destructed the civilian objects, administrative, historical and cultural buildings and social infrastructure.

Ms. Aliyeva also spoke about Statements issued by her to inform the world community about the Armenian aggression and the violated human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as the Fact-Finding Missions, carried out in the conflict-affected areas that were followed by the comprehensive Mission Reports, prepared on the basis of the materials collected and sent to the relevant international organizations, including the OHCHR.

She also stated by sending statements and all other materials, she called on international organizations not to be indifferent to this matter and not to remain silent. It was noted that the silence and loyalty shown by international community, would lead Armenia, an aggressor country, to commit new war crimes.

The Ombudsman invited a UN official to Azerbaijan to observe the atrocities of war crimes committed by Armenia.

In his turn, Mr. Shkolnikov, on his own behalf and on behalf of his organization, expressed deep regret over the heavy casualties, caused by missile attacks on civilian settlements in various cities and regions of Azerbaijan, and said that he is going to deliver all information given at the meeting  to the relevant UN agencies.