Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Azerbaijan’s capital city Baku hosted the XIII International Conference of Ombudsmen, with the participation of ombudsmen from a number of countries around the world and representatives of national human rights organizations.

The traditional conference, that is annually held to discuss priority areas of human rights, this year focused on issues concerning the 20th anniversary of the national Constitution, and the 70th anniversary of the UN, and one of its agencies, UNESCO.

The conference, entitled “The role of stakeholders and counterparts’ cooperation in ensuring constitutional rights and freedoms”, was supported by UNESCO and brought together the ombudsmen and their representatives from over 10 countries, as well as international human rights experts, authoritative world organizations, and renowned lawyers from Europe, Asia and Africa.

Azerbaijani Ombudsperson Elmira Suleymanova said all human rights and freedoms are ensured in Azerbaijan under the Constitution, which was adopted in 1995, and called for closer cooperation among the foreign and local organizations to establish a fair world.

Taking the floor at the conference, Ali Hasanov, Azerbaijani presidential aide for public and political affairs, said after gaining independence in the early 1990s, Azerbaijan set as its main task the building of a legal state, with the forming of a democratic and pluralistic society.

He said the first constitution of the independent Azerbaijan, which in November marks 20 years and was authored by the National Leader Heydar Aliyev, envisaged the main principles of separation of powers, a liberal economy, building a civil society, human rights and freedoms, which were successfully fulfilled at later stages.

“Civil society in Azerbaijan is developing, everyone’s freedom of opinion, expression and information are ensured. Necessary conditions have been created for political parties, non-governmental organizations and media outlets to operate,” he added.

He said Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's firm position is that today, independent policy, liberal economic systems and a strong civil society are the main means of ensuring the dynamic development of each country.

“In the years of independence, Azerbaijan created its own model of development and presented it to the world as a progressive experience. Over a decade alone, the economic potential has increased by more than three times, problems like poverty and unemployment have been largely resolved, the socio-economic infrastructure has been rebuilt in accordance with the most advanced standards, and huge amounts of work have been performed in the area of social welfare and forming the country’s modern image. Having become the political, economic and humanitarian center of the region, Azerbaijan has also taken up its deserved place in the international relations system, wining the image of mighty state and reliable partner. With no exaggeration, we can say that this historical push forward became possible thanks to President Aliyev’s independent and well-considered policy that is based on the national will,” Hasanov underlined.

He stressed that all rights and freedoms are ensured in Azerbaijan according to the requirements of the democratic society.

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict hindrance for ensuring human rights

Hasanov, however, noted that the long-lasting Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the largest obstacle to democratic development in the region, as well as for ensuring human rights and freedoms.

He emphasized that if there was not this problem, or if it was resolved on time, the region’s countries would be more developed and peace and security would be more sustainable.

Recalling that Azerbaijan faced territorial claims and an aggressive policy of neighboring Armenia at the end of the last century, the top official spoke about the occupation of Azerbaijani territories, the mass extermination of the Azerbaijani population, as well as discussed the international documents adopted on the conflict.

Hasanov went on to say that Armenia is still ignoring the requirements of four UN Security Council resolutions and continues to hold positions running contrary to international law.

“A document covering an international legal framework for the settlement of the conflict was adopted at the OSCE Lisbon Summit in 1996. During the summit, a special statement defining the political and legal framework for resolving the conflict was adopted thanks to the hard work and diplomatic talent of President Heydar Aliyev. This statement was supported by 53 states throughout the world, except Armenia. Other influential international organizations have adopted numerous decisions and resolutions supporting the just position of Azerbaijan on the conflict settlement,” the presidential aide said.

Hasanov pointed out that though these documents reflect that a large part of Azerbaijani territory is under Armenian occupation, none of them were implemented, to date.

Hasanov further stressed that Armenia, which has occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijani lands, continues making territorial claims against other regional countries, as well as demands the recognition of the so-called Armenian genocide and requires land and compensation from Turkey, poses a serious threat to regional security.

“Armenia has chosen terrorism as a tool to implement these claims. Since 1984, Armenian terrorist groups have committed 388 terrorist attacks in Azerbaijan, killing 1,189 people and injuring or impaling 1,705,” he added.

The top official also added that Azerbaijan is the country that opened the Caspian basin to the West and turned the area into an arena of international cooperation.

“Today, Azerbaijan is also contributing to Europe's energy needs. Being envious of Azerbaijan’s success, Armenia is trying to prevent the implementation of major energy and transport projects by threatening the stability of the region,” he noted.

Hasanov said the analysis of the policy pursued by Armenia after the collapse of the Soviet Union let us to say that this country isolated itself from projects focused on economic and political development of the region, and faced serious social and economic problems.

“Though, Armenia is located in an appropriate area for transporting Caspian energy resources to Europe, it didn’t use the opportunity of its geopolitical position and it led to heavy consequences for the country,” he said.

Adoption of Azerbaijan’s Constitution is historical event

Addressing the conference, Farhad Abdullayev, the chairman of the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan, said the Azerbaijani Constitution justifies itself as a fundamental law, noting that today Azerbaijan’s development is based on the Constitution.

He noted that Azerbaijan’s reputation as a civil democratic and secular state in the international arena in terms of domestic and foreign policy shows that the Constitution is an advanced and valuable document.

“We have established a legal and democratic state in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is showing itself as a decent partner in all spheres. We are taking part in all large-scale projects and hosting influential events. We have a very successful and versatile Constitution,” Abdullayev said.

He went on to add that the adoption of Azerbaijan’s Constitution is a historical and remarkable event.

Azerbaijan’s Constitution was amended twice, which were related to the expansion of human rights and freedoms, he said.

“Today, we have very close relations with the Ombudsman institution. There are several legal, social, crime-related, civil procedure decisions that we took upon the request of the Ombudsman. This cooperation should be continued. The activity of the Ombudsman is positive enough. It takes a very active position among citizens and government,” Abdullayev said.

The conference, which continues until November 14, will finish with the adoption of the Baku declaration.

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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SaraRajabova

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