Ms. Nigar Aghayeva, Head of the Child Rights Protection Unit, and Ms. Ayten Tarverdiyeva, Head of the Unit on Protection of the Rights of PWDs in the Ombudsman Office of Azerbaijan, participated in the 29th European Network for Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC) Annual Conference and General Assembly, held in Bucharest, Romania.  

The international event titled “Protecting and Promoting Children’s Right to Physical Health” had brought together ENOC member ombuds institutions and their representatives, relevant bodies, professionals in charge of child rights in international organizations, and experts.

While speaking at the event, Ms. Aghayeva provided information about the work done in the field of protection of children’s rights within the past years. She also shared best practices and recommendations that contributed to legislative improvement. Furthermore, it was reported about the establishment of a structural unit dealing with child rights, the Ombudsman’s competences regarding child rights protection empowered as a result of amendments to the Constitutional Law on the Ombudsman, as well as setting up an independent monitoring group to oversee the Convention on the Rights of the Child.   

Considering the abovementioned, the Ombudsman Institution of Azerbaijan, which was an associate member, has been accepted as a full member of ENOC at its 29th General Assembly, following a majority vote by member institutions. Thus, taking into account the developments above noted, the Institution was considered in compliance with the criteria set forth in Article 4 of the ENOC Statute.     

In the course of the meeting, discussions around the current and future action plans were held, and the ENOC Statement on “Protecting and Promoting Children’s Right to Physical Health” was approved. 

As part of the visit, the participants visited the “Barnahus” Center for children who are victims of violence in Bucharest city, where they got acquainted with the activities and practices of the Center.