11th International Conference of Ombudspersons kicks off in Baku
Baku, June 18 (AZERTAC). The 11th International Conference of Ombudspersons co-organized by Ombudsman Office of Azerbaijan and UNESCO has today started in Baku.
The conference on “The key role of new mechanisms of sustainable development strategies in protection and promotion of human rights” is devoted to June 18 - Human Rights Day and the 65th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The event brings together representatives from more than 10 countries, including Canada, Turkey, Netherlands, Bulgaria, Pakistan and Russia.
Opening the conference, Azerbaijan`s Ombudsperson Elmira Suleymanova said various governments and international organizations put forward initiatives to work with UN agencies. She mentioned the Millennium Development Goals and Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, adding these serve elimination of poverty, ensuring of human rights and gender equality, development of global cooperation for environmental protection.
Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the State Committee for Affairs of Refugees and IDPs, Ali Hasanov said Azerbaijan had become one of the most developed countries in the world over the past 10 years.
Hasanov touched upon the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, saying as a result of Armenia`s aggressive policy against Azerbaijan 20 percent of territories of this country was occupied and more than one million Azerbaijanis became IDPs within their country. “Rights of these persons were brutally violated,” he added.
Hasanov expressed regret that official Yerevan does not honor documents adopted by international organizations on withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
Chief of section of the department on work with law enforcement bodies at the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan, Chingiz Asgarov spoke of what had been done in Azerbaijan to ensure human rights. He said the system of protection of human rights and freedoms meets European standards. Asgarov added Azerbaijan had achieved great accomplishments to develop democracy and ensure rule of law. The chief of section also pointed out a lot of work had been done on implementation of the National Action Plan on protection of human rights in Azerbaijan.
Speaking at the event first secretary of the National Commission of Azerbaijan for UNESCO Gunay Afandiyeva praised Azerbaijan-UNESCO relationship, stressing the role of first lady, president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO goodwill ambassador, Mehriban Aliyeva in development of it.
UN resident coordinator in Azerbaijan Antonius Broek said the Ombudsman Office in collaboration with the UN Office in Baku had organized several events in both capital and regions of Azerbaijan.
The event continued its work with plenary sessions.
The conference will end on June 20 in adoption of a Baku Declaration.
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