Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova met with the participants of the International Ombudsmen Symposium titled ‘Strengthening the Rule of Law: The Role of Ombudsmen and National Human Rights Institutions’ on 18 June. 

Speaker Sahiba Gafarova noted during the meeting that Azerbaijan’s capital is currently successfully hosting both the Symposium and the 65^th Assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation, a significant mechanism for inter-parliamentary co-operation in the region. She emphasised that organising such events and providing a platform for discussing issues of concern to the international community reflect Azerbaijan’s vision and its commitment to dialogue and cooperation. It was further observed that this demonstrates confidence in the belief that, in a world facing serious challenges, only joint efforts and co-ordination can achieve common goals and meaningful outcomes.

Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova proceeded to inform her guests of Azerbaijan’s development path and its achievements in the field of human rights. She stated that, despite all the difficulties and challenges faced by our country, it has achieved significant success in protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms. She also elaborated on the activities of the Institute of the Human Rights Commissioner in Azerbaijan and the existing legislative framework in this area. 

During the discussion, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova spoke of the 30-year occupation by neighbouring Armenia of 20 per cent of Azerbaijan’s internationally recognised territories, the complete erasure of our cities and villages as well as infrastructure, historical, religious, and cultural heritage, adding that that also constituted a violation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of our people. As she explained, the Azerbaijani people faced ethnic cleansing and genocide, and were forced to flee their native lands. Over 750,000 internally displaced persons from the occupied territories, along with more than 250,000 Azerbaijanis previously residing in Armenia, were expelled from their homes in the late 1980s, prior to the onset of the conflict, that is. Our state undertook all necessary measures to meet their needs and ensure their basic rights despite the heavy socio-economic burden. In this regard, the liberation of our territories, the restoration of territorial integrity, and sovereignty also represent a triumph of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Sahiba Gafarova recounted the extensive restoration and reconstruction efforts are currently underway in the territories liberated from occupation, with measures taken creating conditions for the return of former internally displaced persons to their native lands. In the short period since the conclusion of the 44-day Patriotic War, more than 40,000 people have settled, and are living and working in those territories. The Speaker of the Milli Majlis particularly emphasised the symbolic significance of President Ilham Aliyev, the architect of these achievements, having declared 2025 the ‘Year of Constitution and Sovereignty. This marks the 30^th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the foundational document ensuring our statehood, rights and freedoms, as well as the 5^th anniversary of the Victory in the Patriotic War, the restoration of our country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, and the realisation of our people’s rights and freedoms.

Subsequently, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova also addressed several issues that remain to be resolved. In particular, she said that the right of the Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia to return to their homes has not yet been secured, with Armenia continuing to disregard this matter. She expressed confidence that the discussions held during the Symposium will be significant in drawing greater international attention to this issue and urging Armenia to respect the rights of these individuals. 

At the meeting, Chief Ombudsman of the Republic of Turkey Mehmet Akarca, Executive Secretary of the Association of Ombudsmen of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Almas Ali Jovindah, Human Rights Commissioner of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan Feruza Eshmatova and Ombudsman of the Slovak Republic Robert Dubrovodski shared their views on the relevance and importance of the topics discussed at the International Ombudsmen Symposium. The importance of international cooperation in the field of human rights was also underscored. The significant role of legislative bodies in this sphere was particularly highlighted.

The Press and Public Relations Department

The Milli Majlis