AZERBAIJAN                   

COMMISSION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, AZERBAIJAN     

         The representatives of the Azerbaijani Ombudsman Institute (NHRI) participated at the EU-CoE jointly organized international conference on “Non-
Discrimination as one of the main values in modern societies” held on 17-18 December 2018, in Moldova, Chisinau.
The event was aimed at finding out the effective ways to combat discrimination and for exchange of experience. At the conference, the Head of
the Office, Mr. Aydin Safikhanli spoke about the activities of the Ombudsman of Azerbaijan on promoting non-discriminative approach and ensuring
everybody’s equal rights irrespective of race, ethnicity, religion, language, sex, origin, property status, occupation, beliefs or affiliation with political parties,
trade union organizations or other public associations in compliance with the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan. He noted that the tolerance and
multiculturalism turned into a lifestyle in the country. As an example, the Ombudsman’s activities in the field of ensuring gender
equality was shown as a good practice in the GANHRI-APF Report on “The role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in promoting gender equality
and empowerment of women and girls living in rural areas”. Thus, it has been mentioned in the report that “The NHRI of Azerbaijan held a series of events
aimed at raising awareness about the struggles and stereotypes associated with early marriage amongst women living in rural areas. Representatives of
the institution’s regional offices, local executive bodies, courts, prosecutors and police bodies, municipalities, local communities, as well as non-
governmental organizations, including the participation of the Azerbaijan Women and Development Center also participated in the event”. It was also
pointed out in the report that “Infant mortality, the prevention of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases as well as family planning and reproductive
health are amongst the health related issues the NHRI of Azerbaijan focuses on. The institution carried out awareness-raising activities and disseminated
posters, brochures and leaflets in different regions of the country.”