Head of the Ombudsman Office took part in an international conference in Russia

Recently, the third international conference on “Human rights protection in Eurasia: exchange of best practices of ombudspersons” was held in Moscow, Russia. The Head of the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Aydin Safikhanli took part in that event.

The conference brought together the ombudsmen and authorized representatives of NHRIs of several states, including the Russian Federation and its federal subjects, governmental and parliamentary representatives of the Russian Federation, representatives of international and regional organizations acting in the field of human rights protection and scholars specialized in this sphere.

A. Safikhanli delivered a speech in the conference on the topic “Protection of migrants’ rights in Azerbaijan and development of international cooperation in this direction”. He stated that the migration legislation in Azerbaijan was improved in compliance with the international documents, which the country is a party to, and informed the participants about the activities carried out by applying innovative approaches.

It was particularly stressed that Azerbaijan became an attractive country for migrants due to its economic development, stability and tolerant environment, despite the fact that there are more than one million refugees and IDPs in the country and that this problem remains the state’s priority issue.

Informing the participants on the comprehensive activity of the Commissioner in the field of effective protection of the rights of vulnerable groups of population, including migrants, A. Safikhanli noted that a special part of this activity is preventive measures to eliminate illegal migration, forced labor and trafficking in human beings. Furthermore, participants were informed about activities conducted within the framework of activity of the Ombudsman as a National Preventive Mechanism.

It was mentioned that the status of ensuring the rights of that population group, their problems, needs and appeals were investigated and analyzed in the special structural unit, which was established in the first days the Commissioner’s activity for the protection of rights of those persons. At the same time, wide consultations are organized with participation of representatives of civil society, and the proposals based on the obtained results are addressed to the relevant state bodies. He also noted the Commissioner’s proposals taken into consideration with regard extending the period for registration of foreigners upon place of stay; social protection of children deprived of parental care and applying for shelter, improvement of the legal status of foreigners placed in special detention facilities. It was stressed that the Ombudsman institution effectively operates in the field of readmission, integration of refugees, as well as improving knowledge of staff members of state bodies involved in migration management processes, besides other issues.

It was told that wide opportunities were established for the citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan, besides the migrants in the territory of the country for submission of their complaints to the Commissioner. Information was provided about numerous positive experiences applied by the Ombudsman in this regard.

A. Safikhanli said that the Ombudsman develops her activity within the framework of close cooperation with State Migration Service, other state bodies and foreign ombudsmen, diplomatic missions of foreign countries in Azerbaijan and vice versa. Joint monitoring on situation of those persons is conducted, regular meetings are held in the regions. As a result of conducted measures, migrants are rendered assistance for legalization of their labor activity, meeting their social needs, implementation of education, health and other rights. The citizenship status of stateless persons is determined and they’re provided with necessary documents during a short period of time. Private and family life of each migrant is taken into consideration by applying individual approach for each migrant, and prohibition of discrimination against those persons is regularly promoted.

The Ombudsmen and other experts highly appreciated the reforms carried out in Azerbaijan in the direction of protecting the human rights of migrants and the relevant experience of the Azerbaijani Commissioner.