The Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva received the Head of the WHO Country Office, Hande Harmanci

The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva received the Head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Azerbaijan Office,  Hande Harmanci.

During the meeting, the Ombudsman informed the guest about the institution's activities in the field of ensuring the right to health of the population. It was noted that during the special quarantine regime enacted in our country due to the COVID-19 virus, appeals addressed to the Ombudsman were received online. In order to ensure the effective investigation of appeals, a united 916 Call Center established by combining the Ombudsman's hotlines in one center, which assumes high importance during the COVID-19 pandemic, was brought to the attention of the guest.

It was also noted that the Ombudsman made an appeal to the relevant state bodies in order to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) effectively during the pandemic, and focused on protecting the rights of vulnerable groups of the population.

Sabina Aliyeva informed the guest that the "Protection of the rights of persons with disabilities" unit was established in the Ombudsman Office with the aim to effectively ensure PWDs rights.

It was noted that on-site investigations were conducted in the territories, which were subjected to military attacks by Armenia during the Patriotic War, special reports on violations of human rights and international humanitarian law were developed and sent to relevant international organizations.

The regular meetings with war victims and psychological assistance provided to Patriotic War veterans and martyrs’ families by professional psychologists and psychiatrists running at the initiative of the Azerbaijani Ombudsman were also highlighted.

Hande Harmanci expressed her interest in strengthening cooperation with the Ombudsman Institution and ensuring the participation of civil society institutions in these processes.

During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects of cooperation.