Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva met with the representatives of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom

The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan met with deputy-chairman of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), Gayle Manchin and Nadine Menza, international legal specialist Kirsten Lavery and policy analyst Keely Bakken. The meeting was also attended by Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Azerbaijan, Michael Dickerson and the Advisor on Political Affairs, William Solley.

Welcoming the guests, the Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva gave detailed information on the main directions and priorities of  activities of the Ombudsman Institution. She pointed out that the institution operates consistently, purposefully and comprehensively in the field of protection, promotion and restoration of human rights and freedoms in accordance with the Constitution of the country, national legislation and international conventions, to which Azerbaijan is a party. 

The Commissioner informed the guests about the violation of fundamental human rights of more than one million Azerbaijanis who had become refugees and IDPs as a result of Armenia's ethnic cleansing and occupation policy. Saying that ensuring human rights and freedoms of persons in this category is one of the main directions and priorities of the Ombudsman’s activities, Sabina Aliyeva noted that as a bloody page of genocide and ethnic cleansing policy carried out by aggressive Armenian nationalists against the Azerbaijani people, Khojaly Genocide is an example of vandalism. “Today in the 28th anniversary of the tragedy, the Azerbaijani people commemorate the memory of victims of the genocide with deep respect”, she added stressing that during the occupation of Khojaly, people were killed with special brutality and were tortured because of their ethnicity-they were Azerbaijani, and the tragedy was both a crime against humanity and an act of genocide.

The Ombudsman also mentioned that 20 percent of the territory of Azerbaijan is under the Armenian occupation. She stated that international organizations, including the OSCE Minsk Group, represented by the United States as a co-chair, must exert pressure on occupant Armenia, and this country must be forced to fulfill the UN Resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884.

By outlining the crucial role of the Ombudsman institution in the protection of human rights, the Commissioner informed the guests about the accessibility, appropriate actions based on legal requirements taken regarding comprehensive and objective investigation of appeals of citizens, stateless persons and foreigners, and added that the protection of the rights of all population groups is always in the focus of attention.

The Commissioner emphasized that freedom of religion is ensured,  people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds co-exist in an environment of peace, tranquility and cooperation in Azerbaijan that is an example of tolerance. Noting that there are exemplary religion and state relations in the country, the Ombudsman spoke about the activities aimed at protection of the  freedom of religion and implementation of educational activities.

Sabina Aliyeva brought to the attention that the Commissioner’s Ganja, Guba, Sheki and Jalilabad Regional Centers operate in compact areas of the national minorities, respond quickly to appeals and conduct extensive awareness-raising activities.

Expressing their gratitude to the Ombudsman for the sincere reception, the guests emphasized the necessity of developing cooperation between the Ombudsman Office and the USCIRF.

The sides discussed a range of issues of mutual interest during the meeting.