The Ombudsman participated in the thematic debate held during the 21st session of the OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission

The Ombudsman of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva, took part in the thematic debate on the subject of "Business and Human Rights: Normative Framework and Implementation Guidelines for OIC Countries" organized during the 21st session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (OIC-IPHRC) held in Jeddah.

Speaking at the debate, S. Aliyeva outlined the Ombudsman Institution's initiatives in the field of business and human rights implemented at the national level. Touching upon the measures for the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, she spoke about the measures taken domestically and the Ombudsman’s successful experiences in this field.

The Ombudsman further underlined that the international conference held last year in honor of the 20th anniversary of the Ombudsman institution in Azerbaijan was dedicated to the role of ombudsmen in the field of business and human rights.

S. Aliyeva also added that the Ombudsman Office is continuously working on strengthening the national legal framework on business and human rights as well as developing the "National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights" at the domestic level.

In her speech, the Ombudsman briefed about Armenia’s complete destruction of and rendering unusable the infrastructure, along with the ecosystem, in the formerly occupied territories of Azerbaijan, as a result of which there are no suitable conditions for business activities. The participants were also informed about mine action and large-scale reconstruction works that are currently being carried out in those liberated areas to ensure a safe return.

The Ombudsman further drew attention to the fact that due to the explosions of landmines that had been buried in the territories of Azerbaijan by Armenia during the occupation, over 300 people suffered mine injuries in the time following the tripartite Declaration of November 10, 2020. Also, it was said that Armenia has not yet disclosed the whereabouts of nearly 4,000 Azerbaijanis who went missing during the First Karabakh War.