The Appeal of the Ombudsman of Azerbaijan regarding the announcement of the “Child Rights Month-Long Campaign”

Children are the most valuable asset that embodies our future. The protection and promotion of child rights are of significant importance in terms of the development and welfare of children and safeguarding them from harms. 

The Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC), adopted by the United Nations on 20th November 1989, is an international legal document setting out the rights to every child, the committments of each Participating State, and emphasizing the need of children for special protection. This international agreement as the mostly ratified treaty, sets forth the prohibition of dsicrimination, the best interests of children, assurance of the right to life and the right to development, and the right to respect the child’s views.   

Within the past years in Azerbaijan, as one of the state parties to the CRC, the national legal framework was improved in line with modern demands; state programs, strategies, and other significant documents were adopted, and a number of accomplishments were achieved as a result of large-scale reforms in the field of child rights. 

The safeguarding and promotion of child rights occupy a significant role in the activities of the Ombudsman, and constant measures are being carried out.  

The Ombudsman, as usual, has declared 20 October 20–20 November of present year as “Child Rights Month-Long Campaign” in honor of the 35th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention, which is a core international binding document in the field. 

As a tradition, this month-long campaign aimed at strengthening the protection and promotion of child rights, promoting attention and care to children, and increasing public awareness in the field. The experience shows that the month-long campaign arises wide interest for public and self-governing authorities and civil society organizations, and the rate of similar actions has gone up.         

Considering that 2024 was declared in Azerbaijan as “Solidarity for the Green World” and the hosting of the prestiousgious international event, the 29^th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCC (COP29), by our country in November, the issues relating to the protection of the rights of children, as one of the most affected vulnerable groups of the population from climate change and its effects, and increasng their awareness in this field.    

I regret to inform you that ecological crimes as well as the planted landmines in the territories that Armenia kept under the occupation for long years endanger the lives and health of civilians, including children, and hinder their right to a safe return. Since the military aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan until today, more than 3400 of our citizens, including 358 children, have suffered from mine explosions. I do believe that international human rights institutions should take decisive steps regarding this issue and should end Armenia’s mine terror.     

The comprehensive provision of children’s needs as a vulnerable category of society and keeping them in the spotlight, ensuring their harmonous development and growing as truthworthy personalities are critical issues for every state and independent society. 

Bearing in mind the above mentioned, I urge state institutions and municipalities, civil society organizations and other relevant bodies working in the field of child rights to join this “Child Rights Month-Long Campaign” and call upon them to support our initiative by measures taken to protect and promote children’s rights. 

We do hope that the events to be held with the active participation of children within this month-long campaign will further bolster the attention to the protection of children and more effectively ensure their rights and freedoms.   

Sabina Aliyeva

The Commissioner for Human Rights 

of the Republic of Azerbaijan 

(Ombudsman)