Azerbaijan presents reports to UN Committee on Elimination of Racial Discrimination

During a two-day event that ended on August 12, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov delivered a speech in which he described to the meeting participants legal framework created in the country to ensure, protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms.

He stressed importance of the March 18 referendum on amendments to the Constitution of Azerbaijan to promote human rights and freedoms. Khalafov also spoke about the work done by the Azerbaijani government to fulfill its obligations to prevent racial discrimination, ensure rights of national minorities and the results achieved.

Moreover, the deputy minister briefed the committee members on measures to promote and ensure tolerance, ensure rights of foreigners and persons without citizenship, gender equality and measures to combat corruption and trafficking in human beings. He spoke of the efforts by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, programs and projects to promote intercultural and interreligious dialogue.

Along with the achievements, Khalafov also noted problems and difficulties Azerbaijan encounters. In particular, he spoke about the ongoing occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia, its severe consequences and measures taken by the Azerbaijani government to improve social situation of refugees and internally displaced persons.

In their remarks, the committee members highlighted the high level representation of Azerbaijani delegation as well as the regularity of reports the country presents. They noted the Azerbaijani government is committed to its commitments under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

They said Azerbaijan has ratified all major international human rights documents. They commended the adoption of the national plan of action for human rights, fight against human trafficking, increasing the independence of the judiciary as well as new steps taken by the government to improve the situation of refugees, internally displaced persons and migrants, opportunities of national minorities to receive education in their mother tongue and preserve their culture and freedom of religion.

/Interfax Azerbaijan/