Ali Ahmadov: Refugee problem is one of main issues for world
By Sara Israfilbayova
The refugee problem is one of the important issues not only for Azerbaijan, but for the whole world.
Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Ali Ahmadov made the remarks at the event, dedicated to the World Refugee Day on June 20.
Ahmadov stressed that the number of Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs is above one million, adding that given its 10 million population, each of 10 people is a refugee.
“Comparing the number of the world’s population with the number of refugees, there is one refugee per hundred people. This shows the seriousness of the problem of refugees and IDPs in Azerbaijan. It is obvious that injustice prevails in the world and that evolves the problem of refugees and IDPs,” Ahmadov underlined.
The Vice-Premier went on to say that as a result of the government’s efforts, the problems of refugees and IDPs has been diminished sharply.
“The whole world should eliminate the refugee problem, make efforts to soften the problem,” the Deputy Prime Minister added.
In turn, Rovshan Rzayev, Chairman of the State Committee for Refugee and IDP Affairs of Azerbaijan said that necessary measures are taken to improve the situation of refugees and IDPs in Azerbaijan.
Rzayev went on to say that education and employment of refugees and IDPs is one of the main directions of the activity of the Azerbaijani government, adding that work to improve the social situation of refugees and IDPs will continue in the future.
The double standards should be stopped and UN Security Council resolutions must be implemented, he added.
“I believe that if we bring the word of truth to the whole world, we will restore the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Returning of Jojug Marjanli has strengthened the hope of IDPs to return to their lands,” Rzayev concluded.
World Refugee Day is held on June 20 every year to draw attention to the plight of displaced people around the globe.
Inaugurated by the UN Refugee Agency, the occasion was first observed in 2001, 50 years on from the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees in Geneva, Switzerland, which defined the term and agreed on the responsibilities of nations to grant asylum to those rendered stateless by warfare, famine or natural disasters and most vulnerable to persecution.
The world currently has 25.4 million refugees, who have fled because of war, violence, and persecution. Another 40 million were forced to flee their homes but still live in their country.
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Sara Israfilbayova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Sara_999Is
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