Azernews.Az

The embassy of Belgium in Baku will start the preparation of the local strategy on human rights defenders in Azerbaijan soon. Azerbaijani rights organizations will be closely involved in the preparation and implementation of the local strategy, according to the embassy, which acts as the local presidency of the EU, the EU Delegation and the other EU member states' diplomatic missions.
"Human, political and civil rights are core values of the European Union and support to human rights defenders is one of the major priorities of the EU external policies. The EU aim is to accompany partner countries in carrying out their obligations to respect the rights of human right defenders and to protect them, in compliance with international norms and standards," the embassy said.
"Playing an important role in ensuring the respect of all rights and the protection of victims, the human rights defenders should be allowed to act freely and without interference."
The statement also said the EU has adopted guidelines in order to streamline the protection to human rights defenders in its external relations. These guidelines set out concrete measures to further enhance assistance and protection to the human rights defenders all over the world.*