The Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva participated in the 3rd Congress "Different Individuals"

On 17-18 April 2021, the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ms. Sabina Aliyeva participated in the opening ceremony of the 3^rd Congress “Different Individuals” devoted to the issues of persons with special needs. The purpose of the online event was to support the development of a dynamic and inclusive society considered in the document “Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for the socio-economic development” signed by the country President.     

The Ombudsman said that the Government takes necessary measures to address the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and children with limited health capacities and also noted that rehabilitation centers operating in compliance with modern requirements are being established on the initiative of First Vice President, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Ms. Mehriban Aliyeva. The Ombudsman underlined the importance of increasing the number of such rehabilitation centers in both Baku and across the country in the next future.      

It was noted that there is a lack of diagnostic and rehabilitation development centers, specialized education facilities, and trained specialists, which create challenges for the early determination of autism spectrum disorders (ADSs)in children and their involvement in inclusive education. Commissioner for Human Rights considers it appropriate to adopt a special legal act, state program and other relevant documents on the state care for children with ASD. Sabina Aliyeva said that the expansion of promotion and awareness works to increase state care for children with ASDs is one of the main duties.    

Speaking about the challenges faced by the vulnerable groups of the population during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ombudsman gave detailed information about the accessibility opportunities for the applicants created by the Ombudsman institution during this hard time.     

During her speech, it was noted that as an NPM, the Ombudsman keeps the general situation in state social-care facilities under the control.  In line with this mandate, the situation of provision of the rights of children, PWDs, and the elderly, treatment of them, condition of facilities and organization of effective medical care and accessibility with gender considerations is investigated, as well as discussions are held with competent bodies. 

Sabina Aliyeva informed the participants that after the 44-day Patriotic War, members of the families of martyrs, as well as war veterans were provided with psychological assistance at the initiative of the Ombudsman with the participation of psychologists and psychiatrists of “Briut” Medical Center.

Other representatives of different stakeholders, national and international experts have also delivered speeches. The presentations and discussions mainly covered the issues related to the proper selection of specialists for diagnosis, accompaniment and correction, the situation of children and adults in need of special care during the quarantine period, the future life of these children after high school, psychological support to the families of soldiers who died as a result of post-traumatic syndrome and soldiers returning from the front.