The Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Ombudsman Institution of Azerbaijan and Human Rights and Equality Institution of Turkey

The meeting was held at the Ombudsman Institution with the delegation of the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Turkey (TIHEK), which is a visit in Azerbaijan to conduct Fact-finding Missions to the liberated territories.

Several issues of mutual interest were discussed at the meeting. In her speech, the Ombudsman of Azerbaijan Ms. Sabina Aliyeva once again thanked the leadership and people of fraternal Turkey for the moral support provided during the 44-day Patriotic War. She stressed that the international community has long been silent on the facts of gross human rights violations due to Armenia’s long-standing disregard for the norms and principles of international law and occupation of 20 percent of our lands, as well as the expulsion of more than a million refugees and IDPs.

In turn, the head of the TIHEK Mr. Suleyman Arslan thanked the Ombudsman of Azerbaijan for the invitation. He noted that the visit is of special importance in terms of conducting an on-site investigation in the conflict-affected areas. Furthermore, Mr. Suleyman Arslan expressed satisfaction with the expansion of relations between the two institutions.

At the meeting, Mr. Aydin Safikhanli, the Head of the Ombudsman Office, briefed the activities of the Ombudsman Institution of Azerbaijan. Mr. Rashid Rumzada, the Deputy Head of the Ombudsman Office reported on the activities of the Ombudsman as a national preventive mechanism. After these speeches, Mr. Zaur Valimammadli, the Head of the Department of the Institution made a presentation on the activities of the Ombudsman during the 44-day long Patriotic War and in the post-conflict period.

Later, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two institutions. The main purpose of this Memorandum is to strengthen relations between the institutions in the field of human rights, to conduct joint training and researches in the relevant field, information and awareness-raising activities of mutual interest, as well as to cooperate in other areas.

After the signing ceremony of the MoU, a press conference has been held for the mass media.

It should be noted that the delegation will hold meetings in the Parliament, the Constitutional Court, and the Mine Action Agency (ANAMA).

Other details of the visit will be available to the public on a regular basis.