Vice President Iliana Iotova and the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Azerbaijan Sabina Aliyeva discussed the violation of human rights in the context of ongoing crises at a meeting at 2 Dondukov Blvd.

 

"We easily give up rights fought for for years and accept their protection as a luxury policy. We need to put back on the agenda the serious talk about the respect for human rights, especially today in the context of a pandemic and the crises it causes," the Vice President said. She put forth the issues of gender equality and the worrying trends of increasing violence against women and domestic violence. In the peak of the second wave of Covid-19, Iliana Iotova organised the online conference "The Invisible Pandemic of Inequalities", during which ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions in Bulgaria shared their countries' experiences.

 

Sabina Aliyeva pointed out that in the first days of the pandemic a hotline was opened in Azerbaijan to the ombudsman's institution for victims of domestic violence. Prevention and awareness is an essential part of tackling the problem, so regular meetings with the people are organised.

 

The Vice President highlighted the importance of the dialogue between civil institutions and the civil society in addressing issues related to the respect for human rights. Iliana Iotova pointed out that the endeavour of the international institutions is not enough and often their documents are weak and ineffective.

 

The meeting was also attended by the Chairperson of Bulgaria's Commission for Protection against Discrimination Ana Jumalieva and its Deputy Chairperson Baki Husseinov.