Ombudsman Office and Baku State University organized virtual academic conference

The Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan and UNESCO Chair on Human Rights and Information law of the Baku State University (BSU) jointly held an online academic conference titled “Ensuring human rights is the highest goal of the state in Azerbaijan”.

Amir Aliyev, the dean of the Law Faculty of BSU, spoke about the activities carried out in Azerbaijan for the protection of human rights and freedoms, also about the topic of the conference that was held in the framework of Human Rights Month-long Campaign announced by the Ombudsman.

The Commissioner for Human Rights, Sabina Aliyeva delivered an opening speech at the conference and congratulated the participants on June 15-National Salvation Day and June 18-Human Rights Day in Azerbaijan. “The Constitution of Azerbaijan proclaims ensuring human rights and freedoms, a proper standard of living for the citizens of the country as the highest objective of the state”, she stated. She added that on June 18, 1998, the National leader Heydar Aliyev approved the State Program on the Protection of Human Rights - the first strategic document in human rights field and set it as a priority of the public policy to ensure human rights. “It’s an evident proof of the value towards human rights in Azerbaijan that June 18 is marked as the Human Rights Day in our country according to the Order signed by the President Ilham Aliyev on June 18, 2007, with respect to the date of adoption of the first strategic tool on human rights”, the Commissioner noted.

The Ombudsman drew attention to the Human Rights Month-long Campaign announced for May 18-June 18 which actively involved state bodies and civil society organizations in a range of events. Noting that human rights education in higher education institutions gives rise to developing the legal thinking of young people, the Commissioner recalled that the Ombudsman institution and BSU is linked via cooperation and numerous significant initiatives have been implemented in this context. “The Ombudsman institution and BSU own wide opportunities for cooperation, and I believe that our collaboration will further successfully develop”, she added.

The rector of BSU, Elchin Babayev mentioned that during the National Leader Heydar Aliyev’s leadership of the country special attention was paid to the protection of human rights and freedoms, relevant legislative framework enhanced and significant achievements were made. Adding that this policy is now maintained by the President Ilham Aliyev, the rector emphasized that Baku State University gives particular importance to educate lawyers, who are able to meet new challenges and requirements.

The head of the Ombudsman Office and other staff members, the dean and teachers of law faculty of the university also delivered speeches focused on scientific-theoretical problems and analytical conclusions regarding various aspects of human rights protection.

The conference continued in form of discussion.