Ombudsman received Ambassador of Finland

Elmira Suleymanova, the Commissioner for Human Rights received Arja Makkonen, Ambassador of Finland.

The Commissioner gave information about the establishment of the Ombudsman Office in Azerbaijan after the country became a member of CoE, mandate, regional offices, the main activity direction of the Ombudsman Office-improvement of the legislation and ensuring their conformity with international documents, protection of the rights of different groups of population, improvement of the work of the governmental bodies, conduction of legal awareness work, cooperation with international organizations, active participation in EU Projects like Eastern Partnership, TAIEX and Twinning.

Touching upon the Twinning Project entitled “Support to Strengthening the Capacities of the Commissioner for Human Rights” lasted for 24 month , the Commissioner noted that the capacity of the Ombudsman Institution and its activity with regard to the NPM, access to information and the protection of human rights which is in accordance with the requirements of international legislation, especially the requirements of Paris Principles was evaluated  as a success by 45 experts from 6 EU countries involved to the project.

Commissioner also focused on the challenges like existence of one million refugees and IDPs in the country, domestic violence, early marriages,  children with mental disabilities , work with psychiatric facilities etc.

Ambassador Arja Makkonen thanked the Commissioner for comprehensive information about the activities of Ombudsman Office in Azerbaijan said that she is role model for women. She appreciated participation of the Azerbaijani Ombudsman in EU Projects, Twinning, TAIEX Projects and stressed her interest in future cooperation.