The Ombudsman Office representatives participated in the CERD 116th Session held in Geneva

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination held its 116th session in Geneva, dedicating it to the 60th anniversary of CERD. In the opening session, representatives of UN agencies, international and regional organizations, NHRIs, and special rapporteurs made various statements.

During the 1st and 3rd panel sessions of the High-Level Commemoration Event, Rashid Rumzada, Deputy Head of the Ombudsman Office of Azerbaijan, and Javidan Gorchiyev, Deputy Head of the Torture Prevention Department of the Office, and Head of the Equality Unit, made speeches tailored to the agenda.

The participants were informed about anti-discrimination and equality initiatives and the innovative approaches by the Azerbaijani Ombudsman in the implementation of the relevant Convention, and good practices of the country in the relevant field were shared.

Representatives of the Azerbaijan NHRI shared their views on the Ombudsman's future activities in this area and brought to attention proposals for improving human rights protection mechanisms and cooperation to prevent discrimination.

During the session, the chairman and members of the committee, representatives of various international organizations, and NHRIs held meetings, where views on the work of the Azerbaijan Ombudsman in this area as an NHRI were exchanged.

The Ombudsman’s representatives also reported on the activities of the Monitoring Groups established in the Office to implement the functions of the relevant structural unit and the independent monitoring mechanism established in accordance with this direction of activity were discussed, as well as the copies of the relevant reports were presented.