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Conference on “Migration, Sovereignty and Constitutional Rights” held
On December 18 – International Migrants Day, a conference on “Migration, Sovereignty and Constitutional Rights” has been held at the State Migration Service.
Organized in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the event aimed to facilitate a substantive exchange of views on ways to ensure a balance between national interests and human rights in migration governance – a practical expression of the state’s sovereign rights, through the protection of constitutional rights.
Representatives from government bodies, research centres, and academia attended the event, along with the members of the Public, Advisory, and Migrant Councils under the State Migration Service.
Opening the event with a welcoming speech, Vusal Huseynov, Chief of the State Migration Service, II rank state migration service counselor, emphasized that the declaration of 2025 as the “Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty” in the Republic of Azerbaijan creates opportunities to implement large-scale initiatives aimed at building a rule‑of‑law state, strengthening national sovereignty, and promoting constitutional values. Noting that the Constitution defines the political, legal, and economic foundations of every state, the Chief of the Service highlighted the special historical significance of National Leader Heydar Aliyev’s role in the drafting of the Constitution of independent Azerbaijan. He stated that under Aliyev’s leadership, stability was restored in the country, a solid foundation for state-building was established, and the first Constitution of independent Azerbaijan was adopted on 12 November, 1995.
He noted that holding the conference on 18 December – International Migrants Day, adds symbolic significance to the discussion at a time when global attention to the protection of migrants’ rights is increasing. In this context, it was emphasized that establishing migration governance which respects the fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution, the supreme law for every state, while balancing international obligations and state security, is one of the foremost challenges of modern migration policy worldwide.
The Chief of the Service stated that Azerbaijan continues to pursue an independent and consistent policy, remaining committed to the Constitution and sovereign rights, and that an effective model of migration governance responsive to contemporary challenges is being implemented. Vusal Huseynov noted that the protection of human rights enshrined in the Constitution, equality before the law, and the rule of law constitute the principal directions of state policy in the field of migration. He added that regular migration is encouraged, reliable protection of migrants’ rights is ensured, and international cooperation is being expanded. He also outlined Azerbaijan’s current migration governance priorities, the work undertaken in this area and the innovations being implemented.
Opening speeches were also delivered by Lars Johan Lönnback, Head of the IOM Country Office with coordination functions in the region, and Azer Allahveranov, Member of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Panel discussions, moderated by Lars Johan Lönnback, followed. During the panel, Fuad Huseynov, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Rashid Rumzade, Deputy Head of the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman); Fuzuli Jabrayilli, Senior Assistant to the Chief of the State Migration Service for Legal Issues; Heather Komenda, Thematic Specialist at the IOM Vienna Regional Office; and Fuad Chiragov, Deputy Director of the Institute of Education, shared perspectives on ensuring the rights and freedoms of migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons grounded in the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, on the relationship between migration processes and national security and state sovereignty, and on the challenges and prospects in this field.
Afterward, discussions were held around the questions raised by participants.
At the end of the event, an online presentation was held for the book “My Trip to Karabakh”, written by Nick Nwolisa, a migrant living in Azerbaijan, reflecting his impressions of Karabakh and the restoration of Azerbaijan’s sovereignty.
