Establishing Effective Mechanisms Safeguarding the Rights of Persons Involved in Migration in Azerbaijan

Since July 2012, IOM Mission in Azerbaijan has been implementing a project titled ”Establishing Effective Mechanisms Safeguarding the Rights of Persons Involved in Migration in Azerbaijan”, with  financial contribution from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway. This project seeks to support the development and strengthening of legal, regulatory, policy and institutional frameworks to enhance the upholding of the rights and freedoms of persons involved in migration in Azerbaijan.

The project aims at (i) improving the national legal framework governing the migration processes from entry to return through a human rights based approach; (ii) enhancing the technical skills of government officials who are working in the concerning areas of the migration management, i.e. policy-making, regulatory, judiciary, law enforcement, etc.; (iii) promoting the introduction of new initiatives for more dignified treatment of those involved in migration through provision of recovery and reintegration assistance to victims and potential victims, such as legal/medical/psychosocial services and accommodation; (iv) improving the capacities of, dialogue and cooperation among the government, NGOs and other actors in assisting persons involved in migration.

A comparative analysis of the national legal and regulatory framework of Azerbaijan with regards to the rights of migrants, asylum seekers, victims of trafficking in comparison with the EU, CoE law and international instruments is under way. In parallel with the analysis, the project will produce the 'Anti-discrimination Policy and Legislation Manual' on the basis of the ECHR's 'Handbook on European Non-Discrimination Law' which would be the adaptation of the latter to Azerbaijan. The Manual is intended to enhance awareness of legal practitioners such as judges, prosecutors and lawyers, as well as law-enforcement officers on the non-discrimination principles and aims to contribute to promoting their full-fledged understanding and practice on human rights protection. On the basis of the manual adopted, IOM will develop a targeted training curriculum and organize a training of trainers (ToTs) on human rights of migrants for government officials and civil society organizations. As a follow up to the ToTs, a series of trainings on protecting human rights of migrants will be conducted in Baku and four regional hubs outside of Baku whereby involving staffs of relevant bodies in other neighboring regions/cities to sensitize and build knowledge and skills of local authorities.

This project has been being supported by the ad-hoc Project Steering Committee which consists of State Migration Service, State Border Service, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ombudsman's Office, Bar Association, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs, Prosecutors’ Office, Ministry of National Security, Academy of Public Administration, Labor Inspectorate, Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation and Citizens’ Labor Protection League. The Steering Committee reviews the project status, plays an advisory role and provides oversight as and where needed, to ensure successful achievements at both central and local levels, facilitating the efficient and effective operation of the project.