The Ombudsman Office and ICRC organized a joint seminar in Nakhchivan

The Office of the Ombudsman of Azerbaijan, in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Country Representative, organized a seminar the "Practical Aspects of Protecting the Rights of Special Category Persons within the Framework of International Humanitarian Law (IHL)" in Nakhchivan. The representatives of various state institutions, international experts, and the media took part in the event. 

The purpose of the seminar was to further enhance the knowledge and skills of relevant state officials in Azerbaijan in the implementation of IHL at the national level. 

During the event, Sabina Aliyeva, the Ombudsman of Azerbaijan, and Draganа Kojić, the head of the ICRC Country Representative, delivered opening speeches, wishing success to the work of the seminar.

Furthermore, during her speech, the Ombudsman highlighted that over the past thirty years, IHL has been severely violated by Armenia during the occupation of Azerbaijani territories, our lands have been contaminated with mines, and more than 330 people have fallen victim to landmines since the Second Karabakh War.

The Ombudsman said that nearly 4,000 Azerbaijanis were reported missing during the First Karabakh War, and to this day, no information has been provided by Armenia regarding their fate. S. Aliyeva pointed out that during demining, restoration and reconstruction measures carried out in the liberated territories, mass graves belonging to Azerbaijanis were discovered, and that those people have been subjected to brutal methods of torture.

The Ombudsman highlighted that the Institution has prepared a total of 18 reports, 29 statements, and 7 video appeals out of 60 appeals about IHL violations committed by Armenia during the Second Karabakh War and the subsequent period, which have been submitted to ombudsmen and national human rights institutions of other countries, and international organizations. 

Delivering presentations during the seminar, experts provided information about the practical application of IHL, the investigation of claims about the fate of missing persons, meeting the needs of mine victims, and other relevant areas of activity and international experience. The participants engaged in an exchange of ideas.

Thematic group discussions were organized during the event, and the questions of the participants were answered. In the end, certificates were presented to the participants of the seminar.