Azerbaijan declares "Children's Rights Month" to promote and protect child rights

The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan has applied for the declaration of "Children's Rights Month." Azernews present that declaration.

"Children are our most valuable asset, embodying our future. The protection and promotion of children's rights are crucial for their development, well-being, and safeguarding against various harms. The Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the United Nations (UN) on November 20, 1989, is an international document that establishes the rights of every child and the obligations of participating states, emphasizing that children require special protection. This international agreement, which has been ratified by more countries than any other human rights instrument, underscores the inadmissibility of discrimination and prioritizes the interests of children, ensuring their right to live and develop. It also includes important principles such as respecting the opinions of children.

As one of the states that ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Azerbaijan has implemented large-scale reforms in child rights protection over the past years. National legislation has been improved to meet modern requirements, and state programs, strategies, and other important documents have been adopted. Institutional mechanisms have been created, leading to significant achievements.

The protection and promotion of children's rights are central to the Ombudsman’s activities, with continuous measures implemented in this area. In connection with the 35th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which is the main international document concerning children's rights, the Ombudsman has declared "Children's Rights Month" from October 20 to November 20 this year, as it does every year. This month-long initiative, which has become a tradition, aims to strengthen activities related to the protection and promotion of children's rights, foster attention and care for children, and raise awareness in this field. Experience from previous years shows that this event generates significant interest among state and local self-government institutions, as well as civil society organizations, and the scale of activities in this direction continues to grow.

Additionally, given that 2024 has been declared the "Year of Solidarity for the Green World" in Azerbaijan and that our country will host the prestigious 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in November, it is particularly important to address the rights of children affected by climate change and its consequences, ensuring their inclusion in discussions and initiatives.

Regrettably, I must mention that environmental crimes committed by Armenia in our occupied territories, as well as the mines it has buried, severely hinder the lives and health of the civilian population, including children, and their safe return. Since the onset of Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan, more than 3,400 of our citizens have been affected by landmines, including 358 children. I believe that international organizations focused on human rights must take decisive steps to address this issue and put an end to mine terrorism in Armenia.

Comprehensive provision for the needs of children, as a vulnerable group in society, along with their harmonious development into worthy individuals, are essential factors for every state and progressive society.

In light of the above, I invite state and local self-governing bodies, civil society institutions, and other relevant organizations involved in child rights to actively participate in "Children's Rights Month" by implementing appropriate measures for the protection and promotion of children's rights. I urge you to support our initiative, as we hope that the involvement of children in these monthly activities will further enhance attention to their rights and ensure more effective protection of their freedoms."