The representatives of nine civil society organisations (CSOs) working with and/or representing vulnerable groups in Azerbaijan and the Office of Ombudsperson (OO) of the Republic of Azerbaijan convened at a working-level meeting to explore possible ways to improve coordination and identify potential areas for collaboration and joining of efforts for promoting equality and non-discrimination in Azerbaijan. 

The participants unanimously highlighted the importance of ensuring effective protection of a right to equality and non-discrimination and reiterated their strong commitment to working together to prevent discrimination and promote diversity, tolerance and inclusive participation of all in the development of society. The civil society representatives shared information about their ongoing activities, exchanged views on encountered challenges and opportunities for reaching out to wider population groups to share and multiply messages for promotion of equality and non-discrimination. 

The meeting, which was co-organized by the Ombudsperson’s Office, was also used as a platform for raising CSOs awareness about the latest changes to the legislation expanding the mandate of the Ombudsperson to include the functions of an independent mechanism for monitoring and promoting the right to equality and prevention of discrimination. Participants of the meeting, also, agreed about next steps for future collaboration and joining efforts to raise awareness about equality and non-discrimination in the society.  

This event was organised within the framework of the project on “Promoting Equality in Azerbaijan”, that is part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Partnership for Good Governance”, co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe.