1
The role of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan in ensuring equal rights to education.
Dear Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen!
I would like to share with you the activities and practices of Human Rights Commissioner of Azerbaijan in promotion of equal rights to education.
From the beginning of the establishment of the Ombudsman Institute the Commissioner developed mainly human rights based legal education for various groups of population that raised public awareness on human rights among the population without any discrimination.The aim of theseactivities is to form legal knowledge and legal culture, to improve the capacities of the citizens and non-citizens in protection of human rights which has an important role in sustainable development processes and good governance and their inclusiveness in public participation at the decision-making level.
Azerbaijan NHRI makes significant contribution in implementation of SDGs in the country level. In this respect, with regards to implementation of the 4th goal of SDGs Azerbaijan NHRI takes important role in ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
UN Convention against discrimination in Education was signed and then ratified upon the recommendation of the Ombudsman which is important for Azerbaijan as a multiethnic country.
Taking into consideration proposal of the Commissioner, National ProgramforActionto Raise Effectiveness of the Protection ofHuman Rights and Freedoms in the Republic of Azerbaijan (NAP) was approved by the Presidential Decree in 2011. It was recommended to the Commissioner to lead the activity of the working group on coordination of the implementation of this program. The Article 4.8 of the program envisages the promotion of the UNESCO principles “Education for all” and facilitates a more effective protection of human rights and freedoms, preparation of trainers in the field of legal education for different population groups.
One of the good practices in human rights education and legal awareness raising activity realized by the initiative of the Commissioner is hierarchic education system of child rights at secondary schools. The main purpose of the hierarchic education of child rights is to raise awareness on rights and responsibilities of children enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and national legislation being based on peer-to-peer method with inclusiveness and participation of children themselves as trainers.
Ombudsman Office periodically conducts educational work on campaigning human rights and freedoms of refugees, IDPs, migrants, stateless persons and asylum seekers jointlywith UNHCR and UNICEF.
For this purpose, it was published the child-friendly version of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in Azerbaijani language and textbook for trainers.
Thank you for your attention!