Ensuring the repatriation and rights of our citizens is in focus of the Ombudsman

The Ombudsman keeps in focus the issues of repatriation of our citizens, who are in difficult situations abroad, and the situation of ensuring their rights. 

Within recent years, the Ombudsman undertook necessary measures regarding the incoming applications about ensuring the right to return of persons, especially women and children, who are held in camps located in the Syrian Arab Republic to our country. The Ombudsman, who received those applicants, continues cooperating with the corresponding authorities in the investigation of the existing problem, its resolution, the returning of our citizens, obtaining and verification of the information related to them, and providing urgent humanitarian support and medical assistance.    

As a result of inquiries sent to the corresponding authorities prepared on the basis of appeals, the issues related to the preparation of the necessary documents and other issues have been solved.  

In general, the Ombudsman, at different times, sent requests to the Cabinet of Ministers and other competent state authorities in order to repatriate our citizens in Syria and to ensure their rights.  

Furthermore, discussions were held with the ICRC and the UNİCEF Baku Office.   

It is obvious, as a result of regular measures undertaken by the Government of Azerbaijan to repatriate our citizens held in Syria.     

The Ombudsman and her employees, at different times, had meetings with those repatriates and investigated the situation of ensuring their rights on the spot.    

During the meeting with the repatriates, their general and psychological situation was  evaluated; problems and needs were learned; and recommendations for their protection were made. The facility, where repatriates have been settled, the Ombudsman Office’ employees were provided with the necessary measures regarding their rehabilitation. In the course of meetings, the repatriates were informed about the various application methods.    

This should be noted that the Ombudsman and her employees had meetings with 70 citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan repatriated from the Syrian Arab Republic, including 54 children and 16 women, and studied the situation of ensuring their rights.   

In cooperation with the corresponding authorities, the necessary measures have been undertaken regarding the applications to safeguard the rights of repatriates. As a consequence, mainly the issues related to the issuance of birth certificates of children, providing social assistance, rendering psychological support, and other issues have been solved.