The Ombudsman participated in the discussion of the draft law “On the State Budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2024”

The Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva, participated in the discussion of the draft law “On the State Budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2024” in the Parliament.

During the speech, the Ombudsman mentioned the implementation of significant social and economic measures by the state aimed at restoring the violated rights of our former internally displaced people after the liberation of our lands, which are directed towards further improving the welfare of the population.

Highlighting several major economic and social issues in citizen appeals received by her, the Ombudsman emphasized the importance of ensuring the overall public health through the implementation of all medical services under compulsory health insurance, increasing the minimum amount of labor pension, and extending the child benefit up to 3 years of age to non-working persons engaged in child care.

Considering the real needs of the population, especially low-income families and vulnerable groups, S. Aliyeva proposed increasing the minimum consumption norm, improving the quality and expanding the list of medicines provided free-of-charge to citizens suffering from certain diseases, increasing the assistance provided to guardians of children who have lost their parents or are deprived of parental care, establishing "breast milk kitchens" for effective infant nutrition, and increasing the number of state-funded places in higher and secondary vocational education institutions.

The Ombudsman also proposes the allocation of necessary financial resources to continue measures for eliminating the damage caused to civilians by the Armenian armed forces during the Second Karabakh War, reasonably accommodating social infrastructure facilities and public transport vehicles to the needs of persons with disabilities, and increasing the amounts for food and housing rent compensation for military servicemen to strengthen their social protection.

The Commissioner also highlighted that in order to execute court decisions, it is crucial to allocate financial resources for the payment of amounts to be paid to citizens by state institutions at the state expense.

S. Aliyeva emphasized that in order to strengthen the activities of the Ombudsman Office, it is necessary to make structural developments in the office by creating a separate Department for Combating Discrimination and a Unit on Business and Human Rights and providing financial support for the modernization of the material base of the Ombudsman Institution.

Furthermore, it was underlined the significance of increasing financial support for travel allowances for participation in international events held in other countries with a view to disseminating human rights reforms carried out in our country and conveying the truths of Azerbaijan to the global community more comprehensively and taking necessary measures in this regard.