BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 7. Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) of the Republic of Azerbaijan Sabina Aliyeva has met with a delegation of the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) headed by Director for Policy and Cooperation Andreas Kleiser, the Office of the Ombudsman told Trend.
It was noted that ICMP works with governments, civil society institutions and international organizations to address issues related to persons missing as a result of armed conflicts, human rights violations, natural disasters, illegal migration and other reasons.
Aliyeva provided detailed information about the mandate of the Ombudsman and the areas of activity in the field of protection of human rights and freedoms. She noted that the reception of applicants is carried out both in the Ombudsman’s Office and in regional centers. Applications are accepted around the clock through the “916” call processing center, electronically and through social networks, and necessary measures are taken to promptly eliminate violations, and respond to citizens’ information requests.
The Ombudsman informed that about 4,000 Azerbaijanis went missing during the First Karabakh War and their fate is still unknown. She noted that Armenia bears responsibility for gross violations of human rights and norms of international humanitarian law and told that this issue has been raised on international platforms, including appeals to relevant international structures and organizations.
Aliyeva noted that Armenia, which held our lands under occupation for almost 30 years, committed mine terror and our country has not yet been provided with accurate maps of mined territories, as a result of which numerous civilians became victims of mines. She added that to investigate facts related to Armenia’s violation of norms and principles of international humanitarian law during and after the war, fact-finding missions were carried out by the Ombudsman’s Office, investigations were conducted on the spot, reports and statements based on the materials obtained were prepared and sent to relevant international human rights structures.
Also at the meeting prospects for further interaction between institutions were discussed.