Ombudsman held a videoconference with the staff of Regional Centers

The fight against the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is now an issue of strategic priority in the world. The consecutive, purposeful, necessary and urgent measures are also taken in Azerbaijan in this direction according to the instructions of the President Ilham Aliyev. 

A special quarantine regime has been enacted in the country in accordance with the adequate decisions of the Operational Headquarters under the Cabinet of Ministers made in response to the existing circumstances. 

Taking into account the requirements of the quarantine, existing rules and recommendations, the Office and Regional Centers of the Ombudsman also follow social distancing and self-isolation measures. At the same time, reception of persons is temporarily suspended in the premises of the institution, while appeals are received via phone calls, fax, post, hotlines, e-mail, social networking and online application form. 
Considering the current conditions, today an online meeting was held via videoconferencing with participation of the Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva, heads of structural units of the Office and regional centers in order to assess the current activities and discuss the future tasks.

During the online meeting, discussions were held with regard to general activities during the pandemic and investigation of complaints by the Ombudsman's Office and four regional centers (Ganja, Sheki, Jalilabad and Guba) covering 35 districts. Participants have also exchanged views on further improving the comprehensive investigation of appeals in the current situation. The meeting also focused on discussions about expanding raising awareness of population by the Ombudsman's Office and Regional Centers with the purpose of maintaining the positive results attained in the country in combating the pandemic  and ensuring  effective human rights protection, while also joining the calls #WeAreStrongTogether, #StayAtHome for the protection of human life and health. 

The Ombudsman also gave relevant instructions and recommendations regarding the future activity directions of the institution. She stressed the importance of providing special care towards vulnerable population groups during the pandemic. The discussions on other issues of importance were summarized in the videoconference as well.