Ombudsman received the UNICEF Representative to Azerbaijan

The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva received the UNICEF Representative to Azerbaijan, Edward Carwardine.

During the meeting the Ombudsman brought to attention the effective cooperation relations with the UNICEF, the important projects on joint actions, rights of the child, including refugee and IDP children. The importance of developing future cooperation in a new profile was emphasized.

The Ombudsman spoke about activities in protection and promotion of the rights of the child, education and monitoring in this field, preparation of awareness raising materials, protection of the rights of children with limited physical capacities, activity as an independent monitoring mechanism according to CRPD.

The Commissioner noted that in comply with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) provisions and relevant UN Treaty Body recommendations, measures in the regions in assessment of needs and improving capacities of state authorities, law enforcement bodies, local executive authorities acting in the field of children’s rights protection through trainings, as well as awareness raising work for civil society institutions and local communities were continued, educational aids were printed and allocated, joint monitoring was conducted in state-run child facilities within the framework of the joint action plan signed between the Ombudsman institution and the UNICEF.

The exchange of views was carried out and relevant proposals were mentioned with regard studying the causes behind being placed in children’s homes, conducting activities to systemize opportunities of relevant authorities for supporting those children and their families, developing accountability about children with limited physical capacities, conducting monitoring on the status of children in NGOs’ shelters and joint monitoring of those facilities, the necessity of holding public hearings and discussions on different topics, including prevention of child abuse etc.

The Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva pointed out the difficult situation of the Azerbaijani children who lost both parents and faced deprivations in Syria, the necessity of restoring their rights and bringing them back to their country as soon as possible, also the importance of the support by UNICEF in this issue.

At the end, E.Carwardine thanked for the sincere welcome and broad exchange of opinions. He noted the importance of developing collaboration covering different directions.