Ombudsman initiates a New Project of Psychological Support

The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva jointly with the Medical Center “Briut” has initiated a new Psychological Support Project to support psychologically people living in the frontline areas.  

The Project aims to rehabilitate the shattered psychology of civilians living in the frontline areas with Armenia, particularly those from the vulnerable groups of population such as children affected from the regular violation of the ceasefire regime by the Armenian armed forces and military provocations, as well as organization of training and events for psychological support.   

On August 15, 2020, in the frame of the Project and with support of the Gazakh district executive power Office, head of the of this Medical Center Zeynabkhanum Samedova, and experts Leyla Hasan-zadeh, Tahmasib Javad-zadeh and the staff members of Ganja Regional Center Sabuhi Abbasov and Emil Shammadli paid a visit to the frontline in Gazakh district and held a meeting in the district Youth Center for the adolescents and martyrs’ families, who are in need of constant psychological support.

During these meetings, it was observed that the adolescents, pre-school children, in particular, living in the areas close to the frontline always are under the psychological stress because of the constant violations of the ceasefire and military provocative actions by the Armenian armed forces. This is a blatant violation of all international law documents, including the CRC, which protects the rights of children to be grown up in the safe environment. Experts of the medical center gave psychological consultations to the adolescents and their parents psychologically affected from the ceasefire violations.

The staff members of Ganja Regional Center dispensed educational booklets and other printed materials on how to be protected from the new COVID-19.  At the same time, they have had talks with the residents of Bala Jafarli and Mezem villages of Gazakh district. During those talks, the Ombudsman’s representatives provided them with the information about the activity of the HRCA to draw the attention of the international community to the violated rights of civilians and combatants, injured and killed during the last military clashes occurred in Tovuz district of Azerbaijan by the Armenian armed forces.

All meetings held in the frame of the Project were highly appreciated by the residents, and they expressed the importance of that project.