BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 6. Azerbaijan is currently implementing important initiatives to fulfill the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights on the responsibility of states and businesses in conflict and post-conflict situations, the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) of the Republic of Azerbaijan Sabina Aliyeva said at the international conference "Law and Climate," TurkicWorld reports.
"It is known that one of the serious factors of negative impact on the environment is war and its consequences. It should be noted that, as an independent national human rights institution, we have been actively bringing to the world community information about the devastation caused by the first and second Karabakh wars, including illegal exploitation of natural resources, destruction of biodiversity, as well as the mine threat posed by Armenian forces," she said.
According to her, environmental protection, ensuring environmental sustainability, and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) require improvement of legislation and implementation of international norms at the national level.
"In this direction, we are carrying out relevant work, including awareness-raising activities. Important initiatives are also underway to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights on the responsibility of states and businesses in conflict and post-conflict situations. The main objective is to coordinate the work of state institutions, public organizations, and business structures, educate, and develop a national action program in this field," she stressed.
Aliyeva mentioned that educational materials on the UN Guiding Principles have been prepared on the initiative of the Ombudsperson and with the support of the UN.
"Work in this direction continues. In conclusion, I would like to point out that we will organize an international forum on climate change and the role of ombudspersons in the protection of human rights within COP 29 in October this year. The forum will analyze climate change issues from a human rights perspective, and we will discuss prospects for further cooperation," she added.
