Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva met with the Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Azerbaijan

The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva met with the Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Azerbaijan, Guido Ambroso.

Welcoming the guest, the Commissioner Sabina Aliyeva gave information about the multi-field activities of the Ombudsman institution directed at protection of the rights of refugees and IDPs. She said that according to the Constitutional Law on the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, foreigners and stateless persons also have the right to apply to the Ombudsman and she receives appeals from these categories of people. It was noted that each such kind of appeal is taken into consideration without any discrimination, and appropriate actions are taken for resolving them.

The guest was informed that all fundamental rights of more than a million Azerbaijanis, who became refugees and IDPs were violated as a result of Armenia’s ethnic cleansing and occupation policy. It was emphasized that ensuring the rights and freedoms of people from this category is one of the priority directions in the Ombudsman’s activities.

During the meeting, the sides discussed the cooperation directions on organizing joint training seminars and awareness-raising events, efficient ensuring the migrants’ rights, solving issues of citizenship and improving the relevant legislation. The Ombudsman also proposed signing of a new and longer-term memorandum of understanding to expand existing bilateral cooperation.

The UNHCR’s Country Representative thanked the Commissioner for the warm welcome and highly appreciated the Ombudsman’s activities in the field of protection of the rights of refugees, IDPs and migrants and stressed the importance of further strengthening the cooperation between the institutions.

In conclusion, a number of issues of mutual interest were discussed.