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Azerbaijan, exemplary model of migration management: IMO

11 April 2014 14:40 (UTC+04:00)
Azerbaijan, exemplary model of migration management: IMO

By Jamila Babayeva

Azerbaijan should be taken as a model in the field of migration management and there are certain countries interested in following Azerbaijan's footsteps in this field.

The remark was made by International Organisation of Migration (IMO) Azerbaijan Officer in charge Serhan Aktoprak at the International Conference on "Migration policy and human rights in Azerbaijan" in Baku on April 10.

The conference was co-organised by the IMO, the Institute on Human Rights of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) and the State Migration Service.

Aktoprak said the IMO praises Azerbaijan's activities in migration field aimed at providing and protecting migrants and foreigners' rights under the international norms.

"We expect that the expansion of the transport network and economic growth in Azerbaijan will increase the migration flow to the country," he noted.

He stressed that migrants' rights in Azerbaijan are protected at the highest level.

"There is a biased attitude against foreign nationals in some countries because of the skin color and religion. But this is not observed in Azerbaijan," Aktoprak said, noting that it is associated with tolerance and hospitality nature of the Azerbaijani people.

Aktoprak noted that the number of people arrived in and departed from Azerbaijan, was approximately equal and was at 5.7 million in 2011.

"This trend continued in 2013 and the number of people who arrived in and departed from Azerbaijan was 6.8 million people," he added.

Speaking at the conference, Azerbaijani MP and Director of the Human Rights Institute Aytan Mustafayeva said resolving the problems of the migrants in Azerbaijan, as well as protecting the rights of emigrants abroad is very important.

"There are still gaps in this sphere which can be solved in cooperation with international organizations," she stressed.

Mustafayeva further said Azerbaijan pays great attentions to this issue but there are still a number of unsolved problems.

"Azerbaijan has turned into an attractive country for foreigners. Besides, the rights of Azerbaijani emigrants, as well as Azerbaijanis living abroad also should be discussed," she noted.

She said that there should be strong connection between Azerbaijani emigrants and the country's representatives. Meanwhile, social protection of the emigrants after their return to their homeland is highly important.

Mustafayeva went to say that Azerbaijan as a transit state faces problems related to transit migrants.

"Illegal migration happens in all countries. There are still problems faced by migrants arriving in Azerbaijan. This problem relates to registration, quotas and other procedures," she noted.

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