Ombudsman received the Chief Human Rights Adviser for the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner for the South Caucasus

Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva received Vladimir Shkolnikov, the Chief Human Rights Adviser for the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner for the South Caucasus.

During the meeting, Ombudsman provided extensive information about the work done in the field of protection of human rights and freedoms and the implemented reforms. S.Aliyeva emphasized the importance she attaches to close collaboration and exchange of experiences with international human rights institutions and ombudsmen of other countries.

The Ombudsman emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration with the United Nations and its specialized agencies and noted that parallel reports were submitted to treaty bodies. 

Later, the Ombudsman provided the guest with information about armed acts of terrorism and sabotage by Armenia targeting the civilian population in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. Speaking about local anti-terrorism measures aimed at preventing such crimes that took the lives of numerous innocent people and posed a threat to peace and security in the region, the Ombudsman highlighted the special attention given to ensuring the safety and protection of the rights of Azerbaijani citizens of Armenian origin living in Karabakh. 

S. Aliyeva spoke about mine terrorism carried out by Armenia in our liberated territories, noting that as a result of landmine explosions, more than 300 civilians and military personnel have become victims of landmines to date. 

Despite repeated requests, the Ombudsman pointed out that accurate landmine maps from Armenia have still not been provided to our country and that the presence of landmines hinders the implementation of reconstruction and building projects, infrastructure initiatives, and delays the return process of hundreds of thousands of displaced persons to their native lands in the region.

The Ombudsman said that during the First Karabakh War, nearly 4,000 Azerbaijanis lost their lives, and their fate remains unknown. She pointed out that Armenia bears responsibility for violating human rights and international humanitarian norms in a severe manner. The Ombudsman mentioned that she meets with the family members of persons missing during the First Karabakh War, and she closely follows the problems they face.

During the meeting, there was also an exchange of views on the prospects of future cooperation between the Ombudsman Institution and the United Nations.