PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN AZERBAIJAN - ONE OF PRIMARY GOALS OF STATE
The Government of Azerbaijan will present to the United Nations Organization the Report on the “Universal Periodic Review Mechanism” of the Council of the Organization`s human rights structure. The Report prepared by Working Group created under the Order of President Ilham Aliyev, will be discussed in the United Nations in February 2009.
On 31 October, a meeting of the Working Group devoted to the Report on the “Universal Periodic Review Mechanism” of the UN Human Rights Council was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
At the meeting, passed with participation of the Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov, it was noticed that Azerbaijan widely cooperates with the international organizations. Development of human rights in each state depends on its progress. Kh. Khalafov, in particular, told: “Protection of human rights in Azerbaijan is one of the primary goals of the state. As a result of reforms conducted in our country, social and economic development, in sphere of human rights the new stage has started. The last presidential election once again confirmed that democratic principles are protected by our state. The international structures have unequivocally highly appreciated elections. Democracy and human rights in Azerbaijan develop quickly< Mr. Khalafov stressed. It has been noticed that necessary conditions for democratic and free activity of all non-governmental organizations in Azerbaijan have been created. Now, the state and NGOs closely cooperate.
As to the Report on the “Universal Periodic Review Mechanism”, Kh. Khalafov told that the document represented to the United Nations covers such questions, as the Constitution, protection of human rights and implementation of the obligations taken before the international structures by Azerbaijan.
Preparing the Report, along with the state structures, recommendations and offers of some NGOs operating in Azerbaijan in the field of human rights will be taken into consideration. According to United Nations requirements, the document should not exceed 22 pages. And the Working Group of the Organization on Azerbaijan includes representatives of Saudi Arabia, Mauritius and Slovenia.
As stated, for the first time the Report will be discussed openly. And then will be heard the Report of the Supreme Commissioner of the United Nations on human rights. In case of need, from Azerbaijan the report of Ombudsman also will be delivered.
At the meeting, it was offered to add the Report with the information on almost 1 million refugees and IDPs whose rights were violated as a result of aggression by Armenia.
At the meeting, present were representatives of Presidential Administration, the Ministries of Internal Affairs, National Security, Justice, Defense, Education, Youth and Sports, Culture and Tourism, Economic Development, the State Office of Public Prosecutor of Republic, the State Committee on Affairs of Refugees and IDPs and other state structures, heads of some NGOs, operating in the field of human rights.
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