The Appeal regarding the “Child Rights Month” by the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan

The protection of children, who are a vulnerable group in our society, is always a top priority in our country. Every individual in your society, along with the state, is responsible for the development, ensuring the rights, and upbringing of children in the spirit of patriotism, respect for our national and moral values, and the formation of a worthy citizen. It is very important to join our efforts for developing our children as our future, as physically and spiritually healthy and useful personalities for our society. 

The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), adopted on 20 November 1989 by the UN General Assembly as an international document providing important aspects of international protection of children’s rights, determines universal standarts, that every participating country should ensure for every child. This Convention, as the most widely ratified international treaty and accepted as a document for protecting child rights, stimulates the mojority of countries to make their national legislative framework in the relevant field. The Republic of Azerbaijan joined the UNCRC in 1992 and its two additional protocols in 2002. Subsequently, on 19 May 1998, the Law of Azerbaijan on “the Rights of the Child” specifying the core principles of the Convention was adopted, and necessary actions are being constantly taken in different directions to ensure child rights in the country.    

A new historical era characterized by large-scale building and construction projects in our liberated territories has been started under the leadership of the President of Azerbaijan, the Victorious Supreme Commander in-Chief, Ilham Aliyev.  Our former internally displaced persons (IDPs), who have been suffering for many years from the occupation and, subsequently, whose fundamental rights have been violated, proudly return to their native lands, to the areas where they have lived for centuries. It is with great pride to note that after a long longing, today, children are educating in secondary schools in the Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur Economic Regions, and their voices full of happiness are heard. 

However, it is regretful to point out that the contamination of the liberated areas by mines delays re-construction and return processes and poses a serious threat to the safety of the civilian population, including children, who are the most affected. Despite the existing obstacles, we do believe that all our kids, forced to live the lives of forced displaced persons, will return to their homes and successfully continue their education in the near future, achieving great successes.

Regular measures are also taken in the country to bring the legislation and institutional mechanisms into conformity with international standards for the purpose of protecting the rights and best interests of children.

According to the Constitutional Law of Azerbaijan on “Amending the Constitutional Law on the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan”, dated June 9, 2023, granting the Ombudsman authority to implement the functions of the independent monitoring mechanism to monitor and promote the implementation of the CRC is a significant step in this direction.

In 2023, as every year, the Ombudsman declares 20 October – 20 November to be "Child Rights Month", nationwide on the occasion of the anniversary of the adoption of the CRC with a view to achieving effective protection and promotion of children's rights.

The assessment of the situation of children, especially those living in challenging conditions, and raising awareness about children's rights among children and individuals who regularly interact with them in various areas such as education, healthcare, social protection, judiciary, law enforcement, sports, culture, leisure, media, and others, as well as within families and society, are considered important matters.

Guided by the principle of best interests of the child, the measures undertaken by the state and local self-government bodies and civil society organizations, including trade unions, non-governmental organizations, media outlets, and other institutions in the relevant field, play a crucial role. Effective and coordinated actions taken by these respective institutions in the field of child protection contribute to ensuring the rights and interests of children more reliably.

Taking into account the above, I invite all relevant institutions to join "Child Rights Month", and support our initiative, as well as conduct research, educational and promotional activities, and other measures within the month-long campaign by ensuring the participation of children.

Sabina Aliyeva

The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) 

of the Republic of Azerbaijan 

20 October 2023