The Ombudsman Office hosted a meeting with the members of the CoE Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities

The Chief of Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Aydin Safikhanli, received the members of the CoE Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM).

At the meeting, the Chief of Office answered the questions of the guests and gave information about the actions taken domestically for the protection of human rights and freedoms of everyone, irrespective of his religion, race, ethnicity, and other grounds, including the measures taken by the Ombudsman in the field of non-discrimination. He also added that within the framework of the Eastern Partnership Programme regarding trans-border relations and cooperation, an exchange of experiences in combating discrimination in Azerbaijan and in other countries has been conducted.

Stating that Azerbaijan is a tolerant and multicultural country, the Chief of Office pointed out that various ethnic minorities live in our country in an atmosphere of mutual respect, peace, and tranquility, that their right to education is ensured, their language, religion, and culture-related customs are respected, and their rights and freedoms are protected without any discrimination.

It was provided information about the reforms carried out in the country for effective protection of human rights and freedoms, including amendments made to the Constitutional Law of Azerbaijan on “Amending the Constitutional Law on the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan”, highlighting that the Ombudsman implements the functions of the independent monitoring mechanism to monitor and promote equality and prevent discrimination, as well as the supervision of the fulfillment of the requirements arising out of the Law on Access to Information of Azerbaijan by information holders.

The guests were also informed that in Azerbaijan, which is a multinational and multiconfessional country, the religious values of different nations, ethnic groups, and religious minorities are always given special attention, and that religious monuments have been preserved so far, unlike the historical religious monuments and cemeteries belonging to Azerbaijanis in our territories that were destroyed by Armenia during the three-decade occupation period. These facts have been confirmed by independent international experts conducting on-site investigations in Azerbaijan.

A. Safikanli said that protecting and ensuring the rights and freedoms of citizens of Armenian origin living in Karabakh are at the center of the attention of the Ombudsman of Azerbaijan, and necessary information about the ways of applying to the Ombudsman was provided.

During the meeting, future mutual cooperation opportunities were also discussed.