Azerbaijan Ombudsman participated in the international event organized by the Uzbekistan Ombudsman Institution

The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of Azerbaijan, Ms. Sabina Aliyeva participated in the international event "Ensuring human rights and freedoms as the highest value and an important criterion of reforms in the country" organized by the Uzbekistan Ombudsman Institution, dedicated to the 27th anniversary of Institution.

The representatives of human rights commissioners and other competent authorities of Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Hungary, Serbia, as well as the head of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Central Asia and the OSCE The Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan reported at the event.

At the event, the Azerbaijani Ombudsman delivered a speech on ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs). She briefed the measures carried out domestically to ensure the protection of the rights of people with disabilities. It was said that considering the Ombudsman’s proposals, it was enacted the Law on the Rights of People with Disabilities in 2018 and made corrections in the national legislation with regard to bringing the “disabled”, “handicap”, “with physical defect” and the other similar disability terminology in compliance with international standards.     

Ms. Aliyeva informed the participants that during her tenure, a specific unit dealing with the issues in the concerned area was established in the Ombudsman's Office. It was also noted that the Ombudsman and her National Preventive Group regularly monitor the situation, detention conditions, and treatment of employees of the PWDs in the penitentiary, social-care, health, and psychiatric institutions.

The Ombudsman informed about the numerous suggestions and recommendations submitted to the competent government agencies in order to more effectively ensure the rights of PWDs during the COVID-19 pandemic, taking into account their health status.

In conclusion, Ms. Aliyeva expressed her confidence that the human rights reforms implemented at the national, and the improvement of the regulatory framework governing the activities of the Ombudsman will contribute to more effective protection of the rights of socially vulnerable groups.

The participants of the conference shared their experiences and exchanged views in relevant fields.