Commissioner participated in the CoE High-Level Conference

The Commissioner for human rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan participated in the Council of Europe (CoE) High-level conference “Our Rights, Our Freedoms and Our Europe” on the occasion of 70^th anniversary of the organization. 

The conference brought together the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Ms. Liliane Maury Pasquier, the Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Elmira Suleymanova, the Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mahmud Mammad-Guliyev, the Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law of the Council of Europe, Mr. Christos Giakoumopoulos, Mr. Samad Seyidov, PACE Member, and other officials, NGOs, media outlets.

The Commissioner made a key-note speech, noting that Azerbaijan has undertaken several international obligations, such as core human rights treaties have been ratified, human rights have been ensured in a way that all citizens can enjoy these rights on an equal basis. So, the Government had mainly fulfilled its obligations.

Then, she spoke about human rights reforms carried out at the national level, stating that many of the country laws have been brought into line with the provisions of international conventions. Further, she indicated especially the establishment of Ombudsman Office in the country as a NHRI, her national preventive mechanism and monitoring in penitentiary and social-care institutions, cooperation with the families of detainees, their lawyers, and civil society institutions as well as about the multilateral cooperation and joint projects with national, regional and international organizations, including CoE covering different issues of human rights. 

It was also noted that the Commissioner regularly made proposals to competent bodies concerning acceding to the international and regional human rights treaties, which include also ratification of Lanzarote and Istanbul Conventions, and European Social Charter.

It was also noted that the Commissioner was actively involved in the implementation of regional Project on “Strengthening the Access to Justice through Non- Judicial Redress for Victims of Discrimination and Hate Crime and Hate Speech in Eastern Partnership countries” in the frame of the EU/CoE joint Project on Partnership for Good Governance. Further, Ombudsman, CoE and Press Council jointly implemented Project on “Gender Equality and Media”.

The Commissioner especially drew attention of the participants to the Nagorno Karabakh armed conflict, pointing out to the PACE Resolution 1416, which affirms the occupation of large percent of territories of Azerbaijan by Armenian armed forces and the control of the separatist regime over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.  Ombudsman also stated that this fact is a breach of the principles of international law and violation of international obligations by one Member State to CoE against another, by occupying its territories and the PACE also confirmed the right of refugees in this conflict to return back to their homes.

Furthermore, along with the national preventive mechanism activity, the Commissioner underlined the significance of enhancing joint activities, with CoE in specific topics of human rights by involving competent state bodies and NGOs.

At the end of her speech, the Commissioner called the international organizations, including CoE to take concrete decisions and actions for restoration of peace in the region and for prevention of violation of the rights of over one million refugees and IDPs in accordance with Sustainable Development Goals and in line with 16^th Goal, in particular.