The Ombudsman participated in thematic discussions in Jeddah within the OIC IPHRC 24th session

The Ombudsman of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva, participated in the 24th session of the OIC IPHRC thematic discussions on “Right to Health: From Perspectives of Islam and Human Rights,” held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on 24 November, 2024. 

In her speech, the Ombudsman, about the “Right to Health in Islamic Countries – Climate Justice and the Role of Ombudsman Institutions,” said that the climate change creates impediments to exercising their health rights across the globe, including Islamic countries, negatively affecting the vulnerable population groups. Noting serious effects of armed conflicts emerging in some Islamic countries on protection of the rights to health of people there, the Ombudsman emphasized the very importance of  accessibility of healthcare services in conflict zones, as well as ensuring the basic healthcare needs of children and women.     

The Ombudsman stressed the importance of taking more reliable, equal protection of individuals’ health rights, bearing in mind current challenges. Talking about her activities in the relevant field, she recalled a number of her recommendations that have been made in annual reports to protect human rights in our country. 

The Ombudsman pointed out a number of reforms in the field of combating climate change  and hosting the 29th session of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29). 

Speaking about the effects of ecocide crimes on the health of people, Sabina Aliyeva reiterated ecological crimes committed by Armenia in our territories. She also said that the landmines laid in our territories during the occupation period seriously endanger the lives and health of the civilian population, impeding their safe return to their homes, and that no information has been provided so far about our more than 3400 persons, who have been disappeared since the First Karabakh War. 

The Ombudsman said that various species of flora and fauna in our then occupied territories had been destroyed for about thirty years and the water reservoirs contaminated with harmful waste. The Commissioner, said that the Metsamor Power Plant in Armenia continues to pose potential danger to the entire region, seriously polluting the environment, despite the Plant being unusable.  

Sabina Aliyeva called on the international community to remain silent to such crimes grossly violating the right to leave in a healthy environment.