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Event dedicated to 18 December International Migrant Day
Event dedicated to International Migrant Day was held jointly by International Organization for Migration (IOM), State Migration Service and Office of Ombudsman of the Republic of Azerbaijan at Uzeyir Hajibayov Hall of “Fairmont” hotel on December 18, 2013.
The goal of the event was bringing together representatives of government and civil society institutions, international organizations working in the sphere of ensuring migrants’ rights in Azerbaijan, and conduct effective discussions.
Ombudsman on Human Rights of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elmira Suleymanova, Deputy chief of State Migration Service, III rank state migration service counselor Parviz Musayev, Acting chief of IOM Mission in Azerbaijan Serhan Aktoprak, Head of Land, Property and Reparations Division of IOM Peter Van der Auweraert, Deputy chief of Division on refugees, IDPs and migration issues of the Cabinet of Ministers Telman Mammadov, Deputy chief of Department on Humanitarian and Social Issues of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Seymur Mardaliyev, as well as representatives of other ministries and NGO‘s participated in the event.
Opening the event with a statement Serhan Aktoprak mentioned that every year 18 December is celebrated as International Migrant Day since 2000 according to the decision of General Assembly of United Nations Organization, spoke about close cooperation between IOM and State Migration Service.
Stating that Azerbaijan is a part of globalizing world Ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova brought to attention activities implemented in the sphere of protecting human rights in the country, importance of establishment of new institutions in this direction, as well as meetings that she held at Detention Center for Illegal Migrants of State Migration Service, emphasized that nutrition of people staying there and protection of their rights is always in the center of attention.
Speaking at the event Deputy chief of State Migration Service Parviz Musayev stressed that the event on International Migrant Day is of great importance and spoke about migration situation in the Republic of Azerbaijan. He stated that from the first years of independence Azerbaijan faced migration problems. As a result of Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan more than a million of our compatriots had to leave their homes and became refugees and IDPs. Most of them migrated to the territory of our republic and settled in different regions.
Drawing attention to the fact that during the past period as a result of rapid development of Azerbaijan economy, people previously emigrating abroad are returning to our country P. Musayev mentioned that at present considerable amount of foreigners work in the country. He stated that implementation of state policy in migration field, improvement of legislation in line with international norms and requirements of modern period, elimination of shortages and abuses in application of laws, as well as negative impact of unregulated migration processes, organization of national security and stable socio-economic, demographic development of the Republic of Azerbaijan are priority tasks of State Migration Service. Bringing to attention that Migration Code entered into force on August 1, 2013 Deputy chief of the Service underlined that while drafting the Code, which is unified document in this sphere, recommendations of International Organization for Migration, Non-governmental Organizations were also taken into account.
Delivering a speech Seymur Mardaliyev and Telman Mammadov talked about activities implemented by the Cabinet of Ministers and Ministry of Foreign Affairs that they represent in cooperation with International Organization for Migration in the field of protection of migrants’ rights.
Hamid Sabiri, who has obtained refugee status in the Republic of Azerbaijan, expressed his gratitude to Azerbaijan Government, people, administration of State Migration Service, international organizations and representatives of Afghan community.
At the end photo exhibition dedicated to International Migrant Day organized by State Migration Service was demonstrated. The guests got familiar with photo exhibition reflecting development of independent Azerbaijan, as well as integration of foreigners residing, studying, working in our country to society.