Ombudsman received the UNICEF Country Representative

The Commissioner for human rights of Azerbaijan, Elmira Suleymanova received the UNICEF Country Representative, Mr. Edward Carwardine.

The meeting aimed at discussion of joint actions to be taken for protection of child rights.

In the meeting the Commissioner pointed out the importance of effective cooperation with UNICEF, the implementation of joint activities, important projects on child rights, including refugee and IDP children and those with disabilities over the past years. She also thanked the guest and expressed her confidence that further cooperation will continue at a new level.

During the ongoing discussions, the Commissioner offered to the UNICEF Representative to take joint awareness events in regions on protection of children from violence, human trafficking and sexual exploitation; to conduct joint monitoring and investigation of the situation of children, including refugee, IDP and migrant children in social-care facilities and shelters; as well as to organize training on just peace in the refugee and IDPs settlements towards the ratification of the Lanzarote Convention and adoption of the draft law on Protection of Children from Corporal Punishment.

The Commissioner also emphasized the importance of joint activities held annually on her initiative to support the 18^th November -CoE established, the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.  She also informed the guest about the call of the UN Special Rapporteur on the relevant problems to Member States and partner organizations to make an input for the upcoming report to the 43^rd session of the Human Rights Council. 

In his turn, E. Carwardine welcomed all suggestions made by the Commissioner pointing out that it is necessary to take into consideration these proposals in the new state program to be signed between UNICEF and the Azerbaijani Government. He, as well, suggested holding a public hearing at the Parliament to promote the abovementioned legislative norms; to raise awareness of people to combat with violence against children; to conduct monitoring to identify such facts; to provide services in the concerned area; and to take preventive measures for elimination of violence against children at risk. 

In the course of the meeting, it was noted that as a NHRI, the Commissioner made proposals of public importance in the parallel report submitted to the UN Committee on Child Rights to assess the implementation of the relevant convention. As well as it was said that the Commissioner also put forward proposals to the Azerbaijan National Strategy for Children for 2019-2029 in relation to the protection of child interests.  

The issues related to effective protection of child rights, relevant hotline service, individual approaches, improving the child-oriented social-rehabilitation services, and training of specialists in this field as well as future perspective of the collaboration have been also discussed at the meeting.

At the end, E. Carwardine thanked E. Suleymanova for warm reception and exchange of views. He also highlighted his interest in future bilateral cooperation with Ombudsman institution having such a rich experience and that he will support the work of the Commissioner.