Azerbaijani Ombudsman proposes establishment of children shelters
By Sabina Idayatova
A conference on "the role of social policy in the protection of children against violence" took place in Baku on November 19.
The conference was jointly organized by the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Ombudsman), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs, the Ministry of Labor and Social protection of the population, and the "Reliable Future" youth organization.
"Azerbaijan should set up shelters and provide legal,
psychological, and medical assistance for the children exposed to
violence," Azerbaijan`s Ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova said during
her speech at the conference.
Suleymanova further noted that a perfect legal basis has been
created for the protection of children's rights and prevention of
violence against them, and work is being carried out for creating
broad public awareness in this regard.
According to Suleymanova, 916 hotlines operating 24 hours a day
have been established at the Ombudsman Office for immediate appeal
over problems- cases of violation of children's rights, including
domestic violence against children living in Azerbaijani cities as
well as rural areas.
"The incoming appeals are investigated, and appropriate measures
are taken," she noted.
"Existing legislation on the elimination of violence against
children should be improved in Azerbaijan as in the whole world, a
number of relevant activities should be implemented, parental and
overall social control should be enhanced for children,"
Suleymanova noted.
According to the Ombudsman, broadcasting information on television promoting violence and degrading children and its repeated publication in the press and on the Internet lead to tragic instances and moral shocks to children with a weak psyche.
"The appeals have been sent to the Press Council, National Television and Radio Broadcasting in this regard," she said.
Furthermore, on the proposal of the Ombudsman an appeal has been
addressed to the Azerbaijani Parliament on the expediting
ratification of the Convention on the protection of children from
sexual exploitation and sexual abuse, as well as the adoption of
the Law on Juvenile Justice. The Ombudsman also presented a draft
law "on corporal punishment" to the Azerbaijani parliament.
Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social
Protection of Population Ilgar Rahimov, Deputy Chairman of the
State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs, Aynur
Sofiyeva, UNICEF`s representative Ramiz Beybutov and others spoke
about the measures taken on the elimination of violence against
children, and the activities` directions.
It was noted that children and young people who have problems are involved in rehabilitation and provided with socio-psychological and legal assistance.
Monitoring has been conducted on the elimination of child labor and education evasion with the participation of governmental and non-governmental organizations, and the results have been submitted to the government. The comparative analysis of the statistical data is conducted on a yearly basis.
The conference continued with useful discussions, and relevant proposals on the elimination of violence against children were put forward.