Chief of the Staff of the Ombudsman Office participated in the 20th session of OIC Independent and Permanent Human Rights Commission

Chief of the staff of the Ombudsman Office of Azerbaijan, Aydin Safikhanli took part in the 20th session of the OIC Independent and Permanent Human Rights Commission held in Jeddah/Saudi Arabia. The session brought together diplomatic missions of the OIC Member States, NHRIs, representatives of OHCHR and international experts along with the Commission Members.    

The Session focused on different topics on the agenda. However, the event was mainly focused on the issues related to the respect to private life and marriage in the context of human rights, where A. Safikhanli spoke about the measures taken in the national capacity in Azerbaijan within the recent years. It was noted that numerous families in Azerbaijan had been damaged as a result of mass human loss that occurred after Armenia’s long-term aggression.  

The Ombudsman’s representative gave information about the work conducted by the ombuds institution within her competences as an NHRI in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights up to date and the foreseen development directions for the next stage. A. Safikhanli, while bringing to the attention an issue related to management of businesses in armed conflicts, said that the natural resources of Azerbaijan have been subjected to illicit exploitation by Armenia during both, occupation and post-war periods. He also briefed the main requirements of the civil society organizations of Azerbaijan, as well as eco-activists, experts and students, holding peaceful action on the Lachin-Khankendi road.    

During discussions related to islamophobia, the Chief of the Staff outlined the violations committed during the occupation period, including the destruction of the religious and historical heritage belonging to Azerbaijan and acts of vandalism. In addition, it was said that the gravesites of Azerbaijanis were destroyed and insulted on the grounds of ethnicity and religion. The Ombudsperson of Azerbaijan issued relevant Mission Reports, based on the collected evidence during the fact-finding investigations, which have been submitted to international organizations. The Report prepared by the OIC IPHRC as a result of their independent Fact-Finding Missions to Azerbaijan was also underlined.