45 Azeri women killed in domestic violence crimes in two years - official
Forty-five women were victims of domestic violence in the past two
years in Azerbaijan, Deputy Interior Minister Oruj Zalov said.
"From January 1, 2007 to this November, 17,354 crimes against women have been reported. During this period, 45 women, including four girls, were killed as a result of domestic violence," Zalov told a parliamentary hearing on women's rights, adding that 90 percent to 95 percent of the offenses have been uncovered.
According to the deputy minister, dozens of police officers were punished during the reporting period for negligence.
The ministry's hotline receives 1,500 to 2,000 calls per day; 30-40 percent are from women.
A draft law on domestic violence, which is supported by international groups, was put on parliament’s discussion in 2008. However, the bill did not pass due to some lawmakers’ arguing that it disregards the national mentality, and it was subsequently returned for revision.
Bilge Cankorel, head of the OSCE Office in Baku, stressed the importance of adopting the law. He emphasized that such laws are already being enforced in 60 percent of world countries, including neighboring Turkey and Georgia.
"I hope that this law will be adopted in Azerbaijan soon as well," Cankorel said.
The head of the OSCE office dismissed allegations that the law allows for meddling in one’s family affairs, as family is sacred in Azerbaijan, just like in all societies.
"The law envisions state interference only if a crime is committed in a family," Cankorel added.*
"From January 1, 2007 to this November, 17,354 crimes against women have been reported. During this period, 45 women, including four girls, were killed as a result of domestic violence," Zalov told a parliamentary hearing on women's rights, adding that 90 percent to 95 percent of the offenses have been uncovered.
According to the deputy minister, dozens of police officers were punished during the reporting period for negligence.
The ministry's hotline receives 1,500 to 2,000 calls per day; 30-40 percent are from women.
A draft law on domestic violence, which is supported by international groups, was put on parliament’s discussion in 2008. However, the bill did not pass due to some lawmakers’ arguing that it disregards the national mentality, and it was subsequently returned for revision.
Bilge Cankorel, head of the OSCE Office in Baku, stressed the importance of adopting the law. He emphasized that such laws are already being enforced in 60 percent of world countries, including neighboring Turkey and Georgia.
"I hope that this law will be adopted in Azerbaijan soon as well," Cankorel said.
The head of the OSCE office dismissed allegations that the law allows for meddling in one’s family affairs, as family is sacred in Azerbaijan, just like in all societies.
"The law envisions state interference only if a crime is committed in a family," Cankorel added.*
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