Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs Fuad Huseynov delivered a lecture at ADA University within the “Advanced Foreign Service Program” for middle and high-ranking diplomats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and civil servants from government agencies.
The participants were informed about the historical roots and current state of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It was noted that Armenia`s non-constructive position aimed at maintaining the status quo and disturbance the peace process will cause failure in resolution of the conflict. At the same time, it was stated that four UN Security Council resolutions requiring immediate and unconditional withdrawal of occupying forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, the decisions and regulations of OSCE, PACE and other international organizations have not yet been implemented. The international community demonstrates “double standards” in implementation of those decisions and resolutions. Consequently, the conflict remains unresolved, the occupied regions are depredated, and material and moral cultural examples in the area are destroyed.
It was noted that refugees and IDPs, who had suffered severe deprivations and violation of human rights as a result of the occupation, were covered by the state care. President Ilham Aliyev gave instructions on addressing the social problems of our citizens from this category. The First Vice President Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva treats the problems of IDPs in a sensitive way, and keeps the implementation of her instruction about relocation of internally displaced families living in the most difficult and dangerous conditions under control.
As a result of the measures taken by the state to address the social problems of IDPs, 106 settlements provided with all necessary infrastructure facilities were built, thus the housing and living conditions of more than 300 thousands of IDPs were improved. In addition, IDPs are provided with single monthly allowance by the state in order to strengthen the social protection of IDPs. This amount has been increased up to 70 percent and reached 60 manat over the past year under the order of the President Ilham Aliyev.
It was noted that despite the scale of the measures taken, there are still internally displaced families living under severe conditions. The President`s instructions given to improve their housing and living conditions are being consistently fulfilled. The greatest wish of IDPs is liberation of our territories from the occupation and to return to their homeland. It was stated that implementation of the program “Great Return” was started in the liberated village Jojug Marjanli of Jabrayil with participation of government agencies and international organizations. Jojug Marjanli is a unique model of post-conflict rehabilitation measures. The goal of the state is to restore the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and fully implement the program “Great Return” thereafter. We are sure that this issue will be resolved under the leadership of the head of state, Supreme Commander-in-Chief. IDPs will return to their homeland by using their rights to return to their homeland in a dignified, voluntary and safe manner, pursuant to international law.
Young diplomats and government officials were advised to work even harder to raise the voice of truth our people and defend the fair position at international events, which they attend.
Later, the questions of the seminar participants were answered.
