The ECRI Delegation was received in the Ombudsman Institution

Head of the Ombudsman's Office Aydin Safixanli received representatives of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) Ms. Anhelita Kamenska, Mr. Gajin Saša, Secretariat staff Ms. Zeynep Usal-Kanzler and Ms. Sophie Kurt.

Welcoming the guests on behalf of the Azerbaijani Ombudsman Ms. Sabina Aliyeva, Mr. A. Safikhanli gave detailed information about the main activities of the institution and the mandate of the Ombudsman. Furthermore, it was also given detailed information on the Ombudsman's activities in the field of ensuring equality and combating discrimination, as well as cooperation with international and regional organizations in the relevant field.

Mr. Safikhanli said the Constitution of Azerbaijan guarantees equality of rights and fundamental freedoms to everyone, irrespective of race, nationality, religion, language, sex, origin, property status, and affiliation to other public associations.

Mr. Zaur Valimammadli, Head of the Department for Cooperation with International Organizations and Civil Society Institutions at the Ombudsman Office, who also participated in the meeting, spoke about the national implementation of the  Eastern Partnership Project on “Strengthening Access to Justice for Victims of Discrimination, Hate Crime and Hate Speech” to which the Azerbaijani Ombudsman Office has also joined. It was added that in the framework of the project,  the staff of the Ombudsman  Institution had the opportunity to increase their professional knowledge and capacities in combating discrimination and learning international experience.

In the end, the parties discussed the pros of strengthening mutual cooperation.