Experts of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Recognise as Positive the Approval of Azerbaijan’s Inclusive Education Programme, Raise Questions on Accessible Public Transport and on Risk and Emergency Plans
The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities today concluded its review of the combined second and third periodic report of Azerbaijan, with Committee Experts recognising as positive the approval of the State’s national programme for inclusive education, while asking questions about access to public transport and assisting persons with disabilities in situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies.
Miyeon Kim, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for the report of Azerbaijan, said the Committee recognised the approval of the Government’s national programme for the development of education for the inclusion of persons with disabilities 2018-2024 as a positive development.
Laverne Jacobs, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for the report of Azerbaijan, said there had been numerous concerns relating to the public transportation system, including the ability of individuals to access buses. Were there any measures being taken with respect to transportation?
A Committee Expert asked what mechanism had been developed and implemented in Azerbaijan to assist persons with disabilities in situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies? What training had been provided in regard to providing assistance to persons with disabilities in emergency situations? What was done to provide appropriate aid in these situations?
The delegation said more than 2,300 ramps had been built in more than 300 streets and intersections to increase accessibility for persons with disabilities. Seventeen roads had been renovated and new pavements incorporated ramps and tactile pads for persons with visual impairments. Some 524 modern buses equipped with ramps were delivered to Baku between 2020 and 2023. Since 2019, the metro had been accessible through the project “Accessible Metro”. Meetings were held with persons with disabilities to hear their requests, and ramps and tactile pads were installed in stations. From 2019 to 2023, more than 2,700 passengers with disabilities had used the metro.
The delegation said the Ministry of Emergency gave a high priority to persons with disabilities during all disaster response situations. The main objective of training courses was to improve the skills and competencies of the search and rescue teams. The needs of persons with disabilities were addressed during these operations. The civil contingencies plan was being updated to address the issues of protection of persons with disabilities to include them in the disaster risk process. An SMS warning system was currently being tested for the purpose of initiating a mass warning of the population, including persons with disabilities, in emergency situations.
Anar Karimov, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of Azerbaijan and head of the delegation, presenting the report, said Azerbaijan was among the first countries to join the Convention in 2008. At the initiative of the Government, a draft law on the rights of persons with disabilities was adopted in 2018, and had been submitted to the Committee prior to adoption. The new criteria for the definition of disability came into force in 2022, and allowed the Government to increase the disability criteria and coverage by five times, meaning there were now approximately 600 different kinds of disability assessment criteria applied in Azerbaijan. In 2023, rehabilitation services were provided to around 90,000 persons with disabilities. Approximately 500 war veterans were provided with high-tech prostheses. The Government of Azerbaijan reiterated its commitment to the obligations undertaken under the Convention.
In concluding remarks, Mr. Karimov extended gratitude to the Committee for the productive discussions and valuable recommendations. Azerbaijan would like to host an event in the country to raise public awareness about the Convention.
Ms. Kim thanked members of the delegation for their cooperation and comprehensive responses during the constructive dialogue of the Committee. The Committee had learnt about the actions taken by the Government to ensure the rights of persons of disabilities. However, important issues had been identified which required action from the State party to ensure the full implementation of the Convention. The Committee appreciated Azerbaijan’s efforts to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities through the implementation of the Convention.
The delegation of Azerbaijan was comprised of representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population; the Audiovisual Council; and the Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
Summaries of the public meetings of the Committee can be found here, while webcasts of the public meetings can be found here. The programme of work of the Committee’s thirtieth session and other documents related to the session can be found here.
The Committee will next meet in public at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 14 March, to consider the combined second and third periodic report of Costa Rica (CRPD/C/CRI/2-3).
Report
The Committee has before it the combined second and third periodic report of Azerbaijan (CRPD/C/AZE/2-3)
Presentation of Report
ANAR KARIMOV, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of Azerbaijan and head of the delegation, said Azerbaijan was among the first countries to join the Convention in 2008. Over the past five years, the country’s rehabilitation infrastructure had been rebuilt to meet modern requirements and expand its coverage. At the initiative of the Government, a draft law on the rights of persons with disabilities was adopted in 2018, and had been submitted to the Committee prior to adoption. The law regulated the elimination of all forms of discrimination on the grounds of disability, the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, and the creation of conditions for their social integration.
The electronic platform of the individual rehabilitation programme was established, serving approximately 5,000 people. A new regulation on the register of persons with disabilities was approved in 2021, enabling the formation of a unified and comprehensive information system on persons with disabilities. This data allowed the development of further rehabilitation programmes.
The new criteria for the definition of disability came into force in 2022, and allowed the Government to increase the disability criteria and coverage by five times, meaning there were now approximately 600 different kinds of disability assessment criteria applied in Azerbaijan. The assessment transited from the traditional medical model to a modern social model. Since the introduction of the new criteria, 70,000 people had benefitted from this. The new criteria aimed to evaluate not only diseases and their severity but also the degree of their impact on a person’s life.
Significant work had been carried out to replace derogatory and offensive words and expressions regarding persons with disabilities with neutral terminology. In this regard, approximately 40 legislative acts were adopted to replace words and phrases in national legislation. In 2020, disability-related adoption restrictions were removed to eliminate discrimination. There were now 12 cases of adoption of children with disabilities under the new system. Legislation had been amended to guarantee accessibility to web content for persons with disabilities.
Currently, 15 rehabilitation centres provided services for persons with disabilities. In 2023, rehabilitation services were provided to around 90,000 persons with disabilities. Fifty-seven types of rehabilitation devices were provided at the expense of the State budget. Approximately 500 war veterans were provided with high-tech prostheses. Four social reform packages had been implemented in the last five years. DOST centres offered 159 services to citizens in 15 areas, delivering social services through innovative methods and the one-stop-shop model. Over 480 persons from vulnerable groups had benefited from the centres' services over the course of its operation. The Government of Azerbaijan reiterated its commitment to the obligations undertaken under the Convention.
Questions by Committee Experts
LAVERNE JACOBS, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for the report of Azerbaijan, said since Azerbaijan ratified the Convention in January 2009, the country had taken steps to implement it. These measures included reviews of laws and policies to harmonise them with the Convention. The Committee acknowledged the positive steps taken. At the same time, additional steps needed to be taken. The Committee welcomed Azerbaijan’s adoption of laws and its furtherance of the Convention. However, there was a limitation of equality rights and use of some derogatory language in the laws.
An Expert asked how the national action plan on gender equality targeted persons with disabilities? What measures were taken by the State party to ensure the participation of women with disabilities in decision making processes? What measures were taken to prevent the abandonment and institutionalisation of children with disabilities?
Another Expert said in 2014, it was recommended by the Committee that legislation include a direct prohibition of any discrimination based on disability. Could an update on the progress of that recommendation be provided?
A Committee Expert asked if there was any mechanism to conduct a review on existing laws to ensure laws were fully compliant with the Convention? Were there plans to ensure that the voices of women with disabilities were heard?
An Expert asked for measures taken to support the organizations of persons with disabilities? What was being done to raise awareness on the rights of persons with disabilities? Was there any training of police officers and law enforcement in line with the Convention?
Another Expert asked if anti-discrimination law covered all forms of discrimination, including direct and indirect discrimination and denial of reasonable accommodation? How did persons with disabilities make complaints? How were the complaints investigated and how were remedies provided?
A Committee Expert asked what assurance the delegation could provide that Azerbaijan would abide by the obligations under the Convention?
Another Expert asked how persons with disabilities were ensured access on an equal basis with others to transportation, communication, and communication technology? What measures were in place to eliminate all barriers to accessibility?
A Committee Expert asked what support was in place for women and girls with disabilities who had experienced violence? Were temporary residences and services made available to them? What measures did the State take to reduce the mortality of children and infants with disabilities?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said derogatory language was an important issue. The State had begun working on major laws and had identified 40 different kinds of legislation which needed to be amended; this work was underway. The language in the Constitution could only be changed through a referendum and would be looked into. In 2006, Azerbaijan adopted a law on gender equality and a national plan of action on gender equality was under discussion. The action plan provided for increasing the employment of women with disabilities. A report was prepared every three years assessing the law on gender equality.
Azerbaijan, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund, introduced a new system for adoption in 2020 and 2021 covering the adoption of children with disabilities. The new system was more digitalised and took the needs of children with disabilities into account when matching them with families. New social allowances were introduced, particularly for parents who adopted children with disabilities.
The State had implemented a programme for the development of inclusive education in the country. Since 2020, there had been several projects organised for persons with disabilities under the age of 18 across different cities and regions. Social, psychosocial and rehabilitation services were provided in a mobile form for children with disabilities and their family members. In 2021, a community-based service was organised in 62 cities in Azerbaijan, reaching around 6,2000 people with disabilities.
There had previously been a Government list of around 600 jobs which could not be occupied by women with disabilities and women with small children. The list had already been decreased three times, but the Government was working to decrease it further.
Work was underway to improve legislative measures in the field of justice. During 2020, candidates who were successfully admitted to serve as judicial authorities attended lectures about how to deal with persons who required a special approach, including persons with disabilities. Nearly 500 people participated in these trainings.
The United Nations Children’s Fund had been supporting the Government in neonatal screening since 2022. All new-borns received screening and were tested for five diseases. Specialised medical assistance was provided to children who suffered from psychological diseases. General training for medical staff had been carried out, including special training in blood tests for the screening of potential disease in infants. Thirteen training seminars were held in 55 regions and reached over 400 doctors.
The allowance provided to families who were taking care of persons with disabilities had been increased. Persons with disabilities were permitted to receive education at State universities for free and also paid reduced taxes.
During last year, more than 200 press releases were issued promoting the rights of persons with disabilities. More than 80 television shows were broadcast on persons with disabilities and published on the Government’s website and social media. Advertisement monitors and posters were used to promote the awareness strategy around the Convention.
Questions by Committee Experts
LAVERNE JACOBS, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for the report of Azerbaijan, said there had been numerous concerns relating to the public transportation system, including the ability of individuals to access buses. Were there any measures being taken with respect to transportation? Reports had been provided that there were no appropriate security measures or evacuation plans. How did the emergency system work? How were the rights of persons with disabilities protected during evacuations?
Landmines had an extensive presence in Azerbaijan due to the armed conflict. They led not only to death but to the production of disability. What measures existed to eradicate the problem of landmines? How were persons with disabilities who had been affected by landmines supported by the Government? Was there a victim assistance programme? Did it protect the rights of persons with disabilities in line with the Convention?
A Committee Expert asked what measures had been taken to amend the law on domestic violence to consider the specific needs of disadvantaged and marginalised women, including those with disabilities? What efforts had been made to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities, in particular women and children, in all stages of asylum proceedings?
Another Expert asked what action was being taken to resolve the issue of forced hospitalisation of children with disabilities. What was being done to prevent cases of child marriage? What steps had been taken to deinstitutionalise?
A Committee Expert said segmenting disability in terms of percentage was a medical approach to disability. Disability needed to be viewed in terms of the individual requirement. Were there any plans to move away from this kind of medical approach? The Civil Code deprived people of their legal capacity. What was the plan to change this and introduce supported decision making? What measures had been taken to enable persons with disabilities to live independently in the community?
An Expert said torture often caused disability in the victims. What support did the State party extend to the victims of torture who acquired a disability at the hands of officials of Azerbaijan? What kind of health, financial and psychosocial support was provided? An Expert asked if there was any training about supported decision making for persons with disabilities, particularly those working in the judicial system? Once a person’s legal capacity was removed, could they get it back? What steps were being taken to replace guardianship with supported decision making? Had a budget been made available for deinstitutionalisation? What support was available for persons with disabilities to decide how they lived and who they wanted to live with?
A Committee Expert asked how coordination was carried out between the Ministry of Care and other departments to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities were implemented? Did these ministries have a focal point to ensure coordination?
An Expert asked about the rights of persons with disabilities, particularly elderly persons, refugees and migrants, when it came to being protected from trafficking? How could persons with disabilities report cases of violations against them?
Another Expert asked the Committee if the draft of the national action plan was adopted? Were women with disabilities consulted about it?
MIYEON KIM, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for the report of Azerbaijan, asked what actions had been taken to address the rights of refugees with disabilities living in Azerbaijan? What measures were being taken to guarantee the rights of persons with disabilities to live independently in their communities? What measures were being taken to improve accessibility and mobility for persons with disabilities in Azerbaijan?
Another Expert asked what measures had the State party taken to ensure that persons with disabilities, particularly those in institutions, were provided with age-appropriate accommodation?
A Committee Expert asked what mechanism had been developed and implemented in the country to assist persons with disabilities in situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies? What training had been provided in regard to providing assistance to persons with disabilities in emergency situations? What was done to provide appropriate aid in these situations? How was accessibility ensured throughout the legal process for all persons with disabilities?
An Expert said there was still discriminatory language in the Civil Code. What were the plans to review such provisions? There had been reports that people had been forcibly hospitalised due to their political opinions. How did such incidents occur and what were the standards for compulsory treatment and hospitalisation?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said more than 2,300 ramps had been built in more than 300 streets and intersections to increase accessibility for persons with disabilities. Seventy roads had been renovated and there were new pavements which incorporated ramps and tactile pads for persons with visual impairments. Around 524 modern buses equipped with ramps were delivered to Baku between 2020 and 2023. Traffic lights controlled by special buttons with sound modules were installed in 27 stations. Lifts were ensured in train stations for wheelchair users to facilitate their movement, and for visually impaired people to enter with service animals.
Several laws and standards were adopted between 2019 and 2021, including the standards of workplaces for persons with disabilities. World Habitat Day was commemorated in 2023 in Baku and included the involvement of persons with disabilities.
The Ministry of Emergency gave a high priority to persons with disabilities during all disaster response situations. The main objective of training courses was to improve the skills and competencies of the search and rescue teams. The needs of persons with disabilities were addressed during these operations. The civil contingencies plan was being updated to address the issues of protection of persons with disabilities and include them in the disaster risk process. An SMS warning system was currently being tested for the purpose of initiating a mass warning of the population, including persons with disabilities, in emergency situations.
The Ministry of Emergency was a leading government entity, responsible for all cycles of disaster management, and addressed the risks faced by children with disabilities during emergency situations. The Ministry organised a national children’s art competition entitled emergency situations through the eyes of children, with the participation of children with disabilities. The Ministry provided psychological support to the population, including those with disabilities, both during and after emergencies.
A workshop was organised with international partners, government agencies and local non-governmental organizations to take stock of actual progress and challenges in the field of disaster risk reduction for the most vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, migrants and children. It represented an opportunity to debate and eventually introduce new State policies in this area. This year, the Ministry would launch a new mobile application to provide access to a hotline for persons with hearing and speech disabilities.
The metro was one of the most widely used modes of public transportation, but until 2019 it was not accessible for all passengers with disabilities, as it was constructed during Soviet times, when accessibility was not demanded. Since 2019, the metro had been accessible through the project “Accessible Metro”. Meetings were held with persons with disabilities to hear their requests, and ramps and tactile pads were installed in stations. From 2019 to 2023, more than 2,700 passengers with disabilities had used the metro.
Several centres had been established for psychological assistance. Veterans and those suffering from mine injuries were hosted in these centres. Special swimming pools had been created and staff had been trained to work with disabilities. Around 2,200 people had been treated in the centres since they were established. A call centre had been established to provide round the clock support to war victims. Around 35 calls were taken every day, and 10,000 phone calls had already been registered this year.
Once a person’s disability was assessed, their disability degree was automatically integrated with other agencies, and they would automatically receive their disability benefits.
A national action plan had been adopted on preventing domestic violence from 2020 to 2023. As part of the plan, a review of national legislation was carried out to see whether it was in line with international standards, including as it pertained to persons with disabilities. A national action plan on preventing domestic violence for the years 2025–2029 was currently undergoing approvals. Amendments were introduced in the law on domestic violence and were under consideration by parliament, including providing free of charge legal aid to victims, which had been implemented. Three centres had been created in areas which suffered from the war to assist women. From 2019 to 2023, 849 persons with disabilities received assistance in these centres. A study would be published which included information on women with disabilities at the end of the year.
Since August 2021, social services had been provided to more than 174 victims of domestic violence. In 2021, monitoring had been carried out at 10 previously accredited assistance centres for domestic violence, and only five had been deemed appropriate to continue activity in the field.
A public council had been established to ensure transparency in the justice system. Correctional and educational work with prisoners in penitentiary institutions, as well as measures necessary for their adaptation, had been carried out. Prisoners with disabilities were provided with special beds and other medical needs. By registering prisoners with disabilities according to their medical conditions, they were regularly monitored under special conditions. The accommodation of prisoners with disabilities and their social needs were monitored as a key issue. Last year, around 20 prisoners with disabilities were provided with new orthopaedic shoes and other equipment.
Psychologists in prisons were assisted by other employees and family members to assist prisoners with physical disabilities, including organising leisure time and providing them with work and education to improve their psychological wellbeing. All measures were taken to improve persons with disabilities stay in penitentiary services. Currently Azerbaijan used a mechanism to assist persons with disabilities to take a decision. There was a special mechanism applied to judicial proceedings to ensure the decision was taken correctly.
Combatting child marriage was one of the State’s priority activities. Under legislation, the age for men and women to enter into marriage was 18, with 17 being a special case following the authorisation of parents and the authorities. In 2022, 2,000 children were born in early marriages and there was a need to improve the legislative basis when it came to preventing early marriage; a proposal had been drawn up in this regard. Outreach was important to tackle this issue. More than 300 workshops had been held with women with disabilities on early marriage. Pamphlets and leaflets had been printed and distributed in train stations and other public places.
The centre for the public and reform publicised healthy living and healthy nutrition for children. Outreach measures were carried out and events were held for students in the economic humanitarian college at Baku. An internet portal had been developed for “healthy pupils” and a mobile app had been created. Within the portal, there were articles on early marriage and interfamily marriage.
There was a range of assistive devices available to persons with disabilities, including providing access to 57 types of disabilities. Negotiations were underway to increase the number of assistive devices to 81. Weekly online training sessions had been organised for medical personnel in rehabilitation centres.
Questions by Committee Experts
A Committee Expert said women with disabilities who decided to have a child often heard doctors saying persons with disabilities should not have children. What action was being taken to formalise legal standards of conduct for medical workers?
Another Expert asked what measures were in place to ensure that all children with disabilities had access to inclusive education in mainstream schools? How was it ensured that infrastructure, teachers and materials were adapted to their needs?
What measures were taken to ensure that all persons with disabilities, particularly women, had the opportunity to vote, stand for public office, and fully participate in public affairs.
An Expert asked what measures would be taken so that education laws would stipulate for inclusive education, and ensure inclusive education was provided for all students with disabilities in school and universities?
A Committee Expert asked how the State protected freedom of expression and opinion for persons with disabilities relating to dissenting views on official positions? Could information be provided on persons with disabilities belonging to ethnic minorities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons with disabilities? Did the 2019 Census use the Washington group short set of questions on disability to gain more appropriate statistics? Was data disaggregated by disability and other characteristics?
An Expert expressed concern that language being used, including “mental retardation”, was unacceptable. This was old and discriminatory language. Persons with disabilities did not require fixing and should not be segregated from their communities. Could the delegation reflect on this?
Another Expert asked what measures were adopted under the national social and economic development framework to include persons with disabilities in the labour market? Were there any disaggregated data collection mechanisms in place to monitor noncompliance companies?
A Committee Expert said the quota system was in place by the State, but did not seem to be followed. What measures were being taken to enforce the system and ensure persons with disabilities had equal chances of employment? What measures had been taken to ensure that persons with disabilities were included in public participation and especially in positions of decision making within the countries?
An Expert said election monitors had been sent to Azerbaijan early this year and they had described the conditions for the Presidential elections as restrictive, with the stifling of critical voices. Did the State party have any plan to improve the fairness of the elections it organised? Would persons with disabilities be enabled to participate in fair elections, not rigged ones?
Another Expert said there was a big national library in Azerbaijan. However, it was not adapted to ensure persons with disabilities could access the publications. There were many steps and it was difficult to enter the building. Many of the buildings said to be accessible existed only in Baku, and not in other parts of the country. How could access be ensured for persons with disabilities in all areas?
A Committee Expert asked about the number of children with disabilities who were out of education? What steps had been taken to ensure that children with disabilities living in rural areas had equal access to rehabilitation services?
An Expert asked to what extent persons with disabilities were given the right to social protection. Azerbaijan had a human rights institution which was accredited; how would its independence be ensured, and how would persons with disabilities be represented?
LAVERNE JACOBS, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for the report of Azerbaijan, asked how consultation worked on the ground with persons with disabilities in Azerbaijan? How were accessibility regulations being developed? How were persons with disabilities involved and actively consulted in this process? What measures were in place to ensure that students with disabilities were able to access post-secondary education?
An Expert asked about the measures taken to ensure the national human rights institution complied with the Paris Principles.
MIYEON KIM, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for the report of Azerbaijan, said the Committee recognised the approval of the Government’s national programme for the development of education for the inclusion of persons with disabilities 2018-2024, as a positive development. What measures were taken by the Government to train and employ specialised personnel, particularly sign language interpreters, to improve inclusive education and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities? How was the Government attempting to ensure equal access to health services for persons with disabilities? How was the Government ensuring that employers were active in hiring persons with disabilities?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said citizens, including persons with disabilities, had the right to decide on modern methods of preventing unwanted pregnancy for the purpose of family planning and protecting their health. Most of these services were covered by mandatory health insurance. There was a need for increased training for health care workers in providing health care to persons with disabilities.
The institutionalisation of children had multiple reasons. One of the main reasons for their institutionalisation was their enrolment in boarding special schools. Currently, eight boarding special schools still existed in Azerbaijan, where the number of children was decreasing each year as they enrolled in inclusive and integrative schools in their own communities. To prevent the institutionalisation of children with disabilities, 40 inclusive schools and 137 integrative schools, along with two rehabilitation centres, had enrolled such children in Baku city and the surrounding regions, ensuring their right to education while living with their families. Out of a total of 32,593 children with disabilities enrolled in preschool and general education for the 2023/2024 academic year, only 2,593 were placed in boarding schools. The remaining 22,790 received education in community-based schools and kindergartens and rehabilitation centres, while 7,210 children received education at home.
To promote the development of inclusive education, Azerbaijan had implemented the State Programme for the Development of Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities (2018-2024)". Within this programme, relevant articles had been added to the laws on preschool education, general education, and vocational education to facilitate the implementation of inclusive education across these educational pillars. Furthermore, the Government had approved the "Regulation on the Organization of Inclusive Education".
Construction and reconstruction work had been carried out in four general education schools to ensure access for persons with disabilities. Teachers of newly established and inclusive schools received training under the Ministry of Science and Education. The plan next year included organising training for teachers at kindergarten and vocational schools. In 2023 and 2024, approximately 500 children with disabilities were enrolled in preschool education facilities. The main focus was to reduce the number of children in boarding schools and make educational facilities available in their communities. The institutionalisation of children with disabilities occurred for multiple reasons. There were still eight special boarding schools in Azerbaijan, but the number of children enrolling in these schools was decreasing each year. The lack of special education teachers in regions was a main factor preventing these children from studying in their communities. The Government was working to address this issue.
According to legislation, people with limited health capacities covered a range of categories of people, including the elderly. In Azerbaijan legislation, the notion of children with disabilities had been changed to the notion of children with limited health capacity. Some 2,300 individuals with disabilities had been employed in quota positions in 2023, up four times from 2022, where 400 persons with disabilities were employed.
Regarding the questions on the elections, it was important not to use these forums for political discussions, and instead stay focused on sensitive matters. These questions were inappropriate. Of the more than 90,000 local observers and nearly 800 international observers who observed the last Presidential election, no one had made a single report on the situation of persons with disabilities. Fully or visually impaired persons could vote for candidates independently using stencil ballots. Information was also provided in braille. In the early presidential elections in 2024, stations with mobile ramps were further increased. Voters who could not go to the polling station due to health reasons were able to vote with a portable ballot box.
The State was focused on extending the coverage of rehabilitation centres in the region. Some 162 coordinators had been appointed within the healthcare system and were responsible for registering persons with disabilities who had applied for medical institutions. They prepared support for the provision of medicines for these people and ensured they were examined by doctors. Thousands of calls had been placed by these coordinators to persons with disabilities last year.
The public library was equipped with modern technical equipment, including materials for the visually impaired. For the first time in Azerbaijan, sign language translation was included free of charge. Persons with disabilities, including those with visual impairments, were able to participate in the recruitment of teachers.
In Azerbaijan, there are two nationwide television free to air channels, which broadcast mainly news and information. They broadcast the main information programmes, with sign language translation. Most of the television channels broadcast sports with running subtitles. Private channels regularly broadcast six dedicated programmes for persons with disabilities.
Concluding Remarks
ANAR KARIMOV, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of Azerbaijan and head of the delegation, extended gratitude to the Committee for the productive discussions and valuable recommendations. Azerbaijan would like to host an event in the country to raise public awareness about the Convention.
MIYEON KIM, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for the report of Azerbaijan, thanked the members of the delegation for their cooperation and comprehensive responses during the constructive dialogue of the Committee. The Committee had learnt about the actions taken by the Government to ensure the rights of persons of disabilities. However, important issues had been identified which required action from the State party to ensure the full implementation of the Convention. Women and children with disabilities still faced discrimination in the country, and accessible transport was an issue. The Committee appreciated Azerbaijan’s efforts to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities through the implementation of the Convention.
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