A meeting with a member of the OSCE ODIHR Election Observation Mission was held in the Office

A meeting was held with Svetlana Chetaikina, a member of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Election Observation Mission, at the Ombudsman Office of Azerbaijan.

During the meeting, the Chief of the Ombudsman Office, Aydın Safikhanlı, provided comprehensive information to the guest about the activities implemented by the institution to ensure and protect citizens' voting rights. A. Safikhanlı mentioned that the Ombudsman Office and the Central Election Commission have prepared a joint action plan regarding the upcoming early presidential elections. According to the action plan, educational events on ensuring citizens' voting rights are being implemented both in the capital and in the regions.

Speaking about the activities implemented to effectively ensure and protect human rights and freedoms in the country, the Chief of the Ombudsman Office noted that the Ombudsman issues annual reports related to the protection of human rights and that the international community is informed about the preventive measures against human rights violations.

Based on the guest's questions, the Deputy Chief of the Ombudsman Office, Rashid Rumzada, gave information about the cooperation between the Ombudsman Institution and state institutions, judicial bodies, law enforcement authorities, and civil society organizations.

He said that the "916" Call Center operates 24/7 to ensure better access to the Ombudsman, and online application methods have been created through social networks and the institution's website. The Deputy Chief also highlighted that all incoming applications are promptly investigated and that effective measures are taken to restore violated rights.

While providing information about the Ombudsman’s national preventive mechanism activities, the Deputy Chief of the Ombudsman Office, said that unscheduled and unannounced monitoring visits are conducted to places which persons cannot leave at their own will. He also spoke about the follow-up visits to monitor the status of implementation of recommendations and immediate reactions to inquiries, as well as the prompt reactions to the investigation of applications.

During the meeting, other mutually interesting issues were also discussed.