W.Kälin: “The Government of Azerbaijan understands its responsibility clearly in respect to the internally displaced persons”, the UN official said these words during the meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Ali Hasanov.

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Mətbuat xidmətinin məlumatı 24 MAY, 2010

Deputy Prime Minister, Head of State Committee on the Issues of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, Chairman of Republican Commission on International Humanitarian Aid Mr. Ali Hasanov met with the representative of UN’s Secretary-General on the rights of internally displaced persons Walter Kälin visiting our country on May 20. Deputy Prime Minister reminded Walter Kälin’s visit to our country in 2007, submission of a report on the outcomes of his visit to UN’s Human Rights Council. He noted that the works performed by the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan in respect to the problem had been appreciated objectively in that report. There were nine recommendations in the document as well. They were connected with the implementation of known four resolutions of UN’s Security Council, improvement of living condition of internally displaced persons until the conflict is settled, non-location of settlements built for them in the regions not in the vicinity of frontier line, possibility of agriculture-oriented activity in new settlements, educational and public health issues, improvement of hostels in the capital where the internally displaced persons settled, compliance of the migration of persons of this category with international standards, practicability of continuation of international humanitarian organizations’ activity. Mr. Ali Hasanov informed that when Mr. W. Kälin visited our country “The State Program on improvement of living condition of refugees and internally displaced persons and increasing their employment” was implemented, as well as the new settlements were built. Mr. Ilham Aliyev said in his meeting with internally displaced persons settled temporarily in Barda region on September 11, 2004: “The tent camps existing in the country will be liquidated soon and the internally displaced persons will move to new settlements”. The Head of the State kept his word a year ago: the last tent camp was liquidated on September 27, 2007. Mr. Ali Hasanov cited the works performed in respect to the improvement of living condition of internally displaced persons in 2001-2009. He reminded that the President of Azerbaijan signed the decrees “On additional measures in respect to improvement of Housing and living condition of IDP families” in September, 2009, “On additional measures in respect to improvement of housing and living condition of IDP families” in February, 2010. Deputy Prime Minister said further that the migration of internally displaced persons wasn’t restricted within the country. However, the Government of Azerbaijan seconds their dense settlement, because that would facilitate the process of returning back. There are other inhabited localities between the built settlements and frontier line. A proper condition had been created for the purpose of engagement of IDPs in the production of agricultural products, their education and health protection was in the center of attention, the hostels where they settled in were improved. The Government of Azerbaijan spares no expense for solution of refugee-IDP problem which was considered a priority issue both by National Leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev. The leadership of Azerbaijan displays a very sensitive attitude to the basic problem. 2.5 billion US Dollars have been spent up to now for improvement of living condition of refugees and internally displaced persons, as well as for building 64 settlements. 2.1 billion out of this amount fall to the share of the Government of Azerbaijan. Very convenient condition has been created in our country for the activity of international humanitarian organizations. Generally, save for the first recommendation, all of the others are complied steadily. The reason of remaining unfulfilled of above-mentioned resolutions is connected with holding a non-constructive position and displaying a contemptuous attitude to the opinion of international community. Deputy Prime Minister informed also about “Great Return” program, Azerbaijan’s experience in the field of coordination of activity of international humanitarian organizations. Mr. Walter Kälin expressed his satisfaction of visiting to Azerbaijan anew, appreciated the works highly performed by the Government of Azerbaijan in the direction of improving the condition of internally displaced persons. He emphasized that the Government of Azerbaijan understood its responsibility in respect to the internally displaced persons. Mr. Walter Kälin declared his approval on works performed in the field of conforming legislation, signified his consent of profitable coordination work of Government international institutions, generally, organization of international cooperation in respect to the refugee-IDP problem. Arun Sala Ngarm, UNHCR Representative in Azerbaijan participated in the meeting.