Meeting was held with GIZ experts in the Ombudsman Office

On March 14, 2019, a meeting was held in the Ombudsman Office with Lotar Jahn, the authorized member of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and Thomas Meyer, the leader of regional project titled “Legal approximation towards European standards in the South Caucasus”.

The meeting  was aimed at the determination of the existing problems in the field of human rights protection within the cooperation of GIZ and the Ombudsman Office, finding out the ways for their solution, conducting exchange of views and data in the application of relevant practice.  

The head of the Ombudsman Office Aydin Safikhanly greeted the guests, noted the great progress attained in our country in the field of protection of human rights as a result of the implemented social, economic and legal reforms, expansion of the legislative data responding to contemporary challanges and the active participation of the Commissioner for Human Rights Elmira Suleymanova in this process.

It was noted that three important strategic documents were adopted in our country as the roadmap for human rights, including the State Program on the Protection of Human Rights (1998), National Action Plan on the Protection of Human Rights in the Republic of Azerbaijan (2006) and National Program for Action to Raise Effectiveness of the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms in the Republic of Azerbaijan (2011). It was also emphasized that broad public hearings are held in each of the districts and cities of the country by the Ombudsman, the obtained results are summarized through analysis, and relevant state bodies are applied with recommendations.  

A.Safikhanly mentioned about numerous successful projects implemented in Baku and regions within the framework of the effective cooperation with several international organizations and state authorities, also about consideration of the Commissioner’s proposals put forward in the annual reports and appeals addressed to relevant state bodies within the scope of her competences.

A.Safikhanly noted the need for strengthening the cooperation with GIZ, which should be taken into consideration by the guests.

It was brought to attention that within the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) activity of the Ombudsman, regular visits are conducted to all facilities under the NPM jurisdiction which persons can’t leave on their own will; the state of the persons detained there, issues of treatment, nutrition and access to medical assistance are monitored; their problems are investigated. When needed the authorized state bodies are given recommendations, and positive results have been achieved.

The guests expressed their thanks for the useful exchange of opinions and the sincere welcome, noted their high appraisal for the Commissioner’s activity. They stated that they are interested in the mutual cooperation with the Ombudsman Institution and the proposals discussed during the meeting will be considered within the framework of the further cooperation.