Ensuring the right to equality and the prevention of discrimination

The right to equality before the law and the protection of all persons against discrimination are fundamental norms of international human rights law. This concept is rooted in the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as international documents to which our country is a party, including UDHR, ICCPR, CERD, CEDAW, and other significant international legal instruments.

Ensuring the right to equality and the prevention of discrimination is one of the important directions of the activities of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The Ombudsman attaches importance to improving the legal mechanisms in the field of ensuring the right to equality and the prevention of discrimination. For this purpose, activities for the promotion of the right to equality, public awareness activities are conducted, and cooperation with the civil society organizations has been broadened.

In 2023, the Unit for Ensuring the Right to Equality was set up in the Ombudsman Office, and measures for investigating discrimination facts and preventing them served to strengthen the environment of equality.

In 2025, the Department for Monitoring Equality and Discrimination was established in the Ombudsman Office, through the consolidation of the Unit on Ensuring the Right to Equality, the Unit for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Unit for the Protection of Child Rights.

In general, the amendments made to the legislation regarding the right to equality and improvement of mechanisms for their application have been a notable step for the protection of human rights.