A meeting with the U.S. Department of State IRF Delegation was held at the Ombudsman Office

The Ombudsman Office of Azerbaijan hosted a meeting with a delegation from the Office of International Religious Freedom (IRF) of the U.S. Department of State, led by Jason McLnerney, Deputy to the Ambassador-at-Large. The Head of the Ombudsman Office, Aydin Safikhanli, and the Head of the Department for Cooperation with International Organizations and Civil Society Institutions, Zaur Valimammadli, took part in the meeting.

At the meeting, A. Safikhanli said Azerbaijan ensures religious tolerance, and that people’s beliefs are respected. Religious freedom and conscience are protected, state-religion relations are regulated according to modern principles, religious, moral, and ethical values have become an important part of public relations he said. The head of the office, provided detailed information about the Ombudsman’s actions in the field of human rights, including non-discrimination. A. Safikhanli highlighted that individuals, regardless of their nationality or religion, can freely lodge a file with the Ombudsman, and that their complaints are investigated in accordance with the law, with appropriate measures being taken. 

It was noted that various ethnic minorities in Azerbaijan co-exist respectfully and peacefully, respecting  the traditions of each - other.  It was noted that special attention is paid to their religious values, as well as that their rights and freedoms are protected.

The Head of the Office also reported that the Ombudsman’s National Preventive Group visits institutions that individuals cannot leave at their own will within the NPM mandate, underscoring the NPM Annual Reports, and that proposals and recommendations are made for the improvement of legislation.

Zaur Valimammadli also enlightened the delegation members about the institution's international cooperation, including collaboration with the UN and its specialized agencies. He also stressed the latest changes made to the Constitutional Law on the Ombudsman, highlighting that as a result of this the Ombudsman’s mandate was expanded in areas such as equality, non-discrimination, and others. It was also noted that, accordingly, new relevant structural divisions were created within the premises of the office.

During the meeting, discussions were held on several topics of mutual interest.