PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF NAGORNY KARABAKH CONFLICT IS REQUIRED FOR WOMEN'S ANTI-DISCRIMINATION CONVENTION TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN AZERBAIJAN

WOM/1005
20 January 1998

Committee on Elimination of Discrimination against Women Told As Discussion of Azerbaijan's
Report on Convention's Implementation Begins

Without a peaceful resolution of the Nagorny Karabakh conflict in Azerbaijan, it would not be
possible to implement the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against
Women in that country, its representative told the monitoring body for the treaty this morning.
Introducing Azerbaijan's initial report on implementing the Convention, the Chief of the
Humanitarian Policy Division, Office of the President of Azerbaijan, Fatma Abdullazadeh, told the
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women that the occupation of the Nagorny
Karabakh region had seriously affected the women of Azerbaijan. Everyday, women and children
were dying as a result of the conflict. At the same time, she said that current economic reforms,
although fairly successful, were having little impact on the social situation in the country, particularly
on women. Meanwhile, the Azerbaijani Government had started implementing a national plan of
action that took account of the implementation of the provisions of the Convention. Action towards
the advancement of women had reached a new stage and marked the beginning of a new period for
the women of Azerbaijan. Following the introduction of the report, one expert praised Azerbaijan's
ratification of the Convention just four years after its independence. That was a bold political step
that illustrated the country's commitment to the issue of women's rights, she said. Drawing attention
to the status of women in countries in transition, another expert noted that what had simultaneously
emerged in Azerbaijan was the lack of benefits to women, on the one hand, and the potential for
their eventual realization, on the other. Several experts were disturbed by the level of poverty,
which affected some 85 per cent of the population. Indeed, one expert said that recent economic
reforms had widened the gap between the rich and the poor. She sought information on what
initiatives, if any, were being undertaken by the Government, the World Bank and the International
Monetary Fund, and what measures were envisaged to mitigate the negative impact of the structural
adjustment on women and children. The Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. today to continue its
consideration of the report of Azerbaijan.

Committee Work Programme

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women met this morning to begin
consideration of reports of States parties under article 18 of the Convention on the Elimination of
All Forms of Discrimination against Women. That article provides for States parties to submit
reports on legislative, judicial, administrative and other measures adopted to give effect to the
provisions of the Convention. (For background on the session, see Press Release WOM/1003 of
16 January.)

For its consideration this morning, the Committee has before it the first report of Azerbaijan
(document CEDAW/C/AZE/1 of 16 September 1996), which ratified the Convention in 1995.
After a brief introduction, the report, under "overall situation", contains general information about
the country, human rights measures, the situation of women, and the consequences of the
aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan, which restored its independence in 1991. Section III of
the report contains information on the implementation of specific articles of the Convention.

In addressing the overall situation in the country, the report stresses that Armenian aggression
against Azerbaijan and its destructive consequences are the principal difficulties affecting the
fulfilment of obligations under the Convention. In addition to the war, the country's "deep
socio-economic crisis" experienced in recent years has also resulted in reduced fertility, an
increased death rate, high infant mortality and maternal mortality rates.

The report states that as a result of more than seven years of ongoing war -- beginning in 1991 --
approximately 20 per cent of the entire territory of Azerbaijan, comprising Nagorny Karabakh and
an area four times bigger than that region, has been occupied and held by the Armenian armed
forces. The aggression and ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijanis from the territory of Armenia proper
and the occupied areas of Azerbaijan has resulted in over 1 million refugees and displaced persons
in the country. An extremely serious humanitarian situation has developed, in which every year
hundreds of elderly people, women and children die in refugee camps as a result of disease and
epidemics.

Gross human rights violations, the reports states, are being perpetrated against Azerbaijani citizens,
thousands of whom, mainly women, elderly persons and children, are being held hostage in
Armenia and the occupied areas of Azerbaijan and are compelled to do forced labour; over
18,000 people have died and over 50,000 have been wounded or maimed, while several thousand
are missing. Civilian housing, State enterprises and social facilities have been destroyed and burned,
and irreparable damage has been inflicted on the environment.

Azerbaijan is also implementing economic reforms that have resulted in a substantial change in the
structure of income distribution among the population, including a fall in the proportion of income in
the form of wages, from 80 per cent in the pre-reform period to 33 per cent in December 1995.
The economic reforms have also led to a pronounced stratification of society on the basis of
material income, increased differentiation, and a rise in income differences between rich and poor.
Eighty-five per cent of the population remains below the poverty line. The country's already serious
situation is worsened by the presence of huge numbers of refugees and forcibly displaced persons
who have abandoned their permanent homes as a result of Armenia's armed aggression against
Azerbaijan.

The report states that of a total population of 7.5 million on 1 January 1996, 3.8 million were
women and 3.7 million were male. In 1994, over 780,000 women, or 45 per cent of the total work
force, were employed in sectors of the Azerbaijani economy. The proportion of women workers in
health care, social welfare, popular education and culture remains high (65 per cent to 72 per cent).
Women enjoy certain benefits in the areas of labour protection, working hours and paid leave
under the country's labour code, which has a section entitled "women and work". Under an Act on
Employment of the Population, provision is made for equal opportunities for all citizens to exercise
their right to work, to free choice of employment, training and for unemployed persons to receive
social benefits from the State.

However, the report adds that in spite of the legislative guarantees, the socio-economic difficulties
in the country and the seizure of one fifth of its territory by Armenia have led to a deterioration in
the situation of women in the area of employment. They are less protected from unemployment than
men. Two thirds of the unemployed population of working age are women. Economic difficulties in
the family are now forcing women to seek work even more actively. Thus, in 1995, over 13,000
women job-seekers applied to the State employment service, of which over 4,000 had been
forcibly displaced from areas occupied by Armenia. Over 5,600 women have been placed by the
service while 17,000 unemployed women are registered with the service. At the same time, not all
the mechanisms have been established to provide economic assistance to employers for
concessions in the area of work, which is envisaged for women under the law.

Providing information on matters related to individual articles of the Convention, the report states
with regard to article 6, on the suppression of all forms of traffic in and the exploitation of
prostitution, that national legislation in Azerbaijan establishes criminal liability for violation of the
rights of women. The country's Criminal Code provides for criminal charges for those who involve
minors in criminal activities, including prostitution, and for those who promote prostitution. A range
of government institutions have adopted a set of precautionary and preventive measures aimed at
eradicating the causes and conditions that contribute to the spread of prostitution and of the
associated procurement and maintenance of houses for the purpose of exploitation of prostitution of
women.

Notwithstanding the measures taken, prostitution continues to take place in the context of the
economic difficulties of the transitional period, the unemployment which accompanies it, and the
huge number of refugees from occupied regions of the country, the report states. Individuals, taking
advantage of the poverty-stricken situation of certain segments of the population, are setting up
houses of prostitution, where they exploit women for mercenary motives, says the report.
Determined efforts are being made to bring such individuals to justice. In 1995 and the first half of
1996, 26 criminal cases were instituted on charges of maintaining houses of prostitution, procuring
women for prostitution and recruiting women for the purpose of material gain, and the perpetrators
were brought to trial.

On the participation of women in government, the report states that in 1994 women constituted one
third of the employees of the State and economic machinery in Azerbaijan. At the international
level, there are 15 women working in embassies, including one ambassador, one counsellor, five
attaches and eight technical staff. The country's Constitution guarantees women's equality with men
before the law and their equal rights and freedoms. The equal treatment of women and men during
hearings in courts and tribunals is also enshrined in the Constitution.

According to the report, the Constitution provides for men and women to have the same rights to
education. The State guarantees free and compulsory general secondary education. At the start of
the 1995-1996 academic year, there were 4,480 State-run general-education day schools
providing education to 1.5 million children, of whom 50.8 per cent were girls. In addition, there is
an increasing number of schools affording intensive study of various subjects, boarding schools for
needy children and special schools, classes, groups and home study for physically immature and
mentally retarded children. Girls constitute 61 per cent and 45 per cent, respectively, of the 30,500
pupils in technical secondary education schools and of the 86,300 students in establishments of
higher education. Forty per cent of scientific workers, one of every 10 of those holding doctors of
science degrees and nearly one of every three masters of science, are female.

Introduction of Report FATMA ABDULLAZADEH, Chief of the Humanitarian Policy Division,
Office of the President of Azerbaijan, began her presentation by reviewing the recent political
history of her country. She stressed the importance of the independence of Azerbaijan in 1991, and
pledged that totalitarianism would never again return to the country. The occupation of the Nagorny
Karabakh region seriously affected the women and children of Azerbaijan -- one women in seven
was affected by that situation. Since 1995, the Azerbaijani Government had started implementing a
national plan of action which took into account the implementation of the Convention. Action
towards the advancement of women had reached a new stage and marked the beginning of a new
period for the women of Azerbaijan.

Reviewing the historical developments in the country in the early part of the century, she referred to
the effect of the discovery of oil, which led to economic progress in the country and developments
in the interest of women, including their active involvement in the country's political life. The legal
basis of full equality of the sexes had been established and was reflected in the country's culture.
During the Soviet period of the country's history, there were many positive developments for
women, such as participation in the productive sectors, and they were full members of society with
independent status. However, many educated women had been forced to emigrate from Azerbaijan
or had been subjected to repression. The positive developments had been the result of a policy of
equal rights.

The country's proclamation of independence had occurred against the background of the conflict in
Nagorny Karabakh, she said. More than 20 per cent of the territory of Azerbaijan had been seized
by Armenia. As of today, all regions of the country had experienced relocation of tens of thousands
of refugees and displaced persons who were now housed in tents and camps by international
organizations. If the rights of women were human rights, it must be emphasized that the country had
lost its rights. There could be no discussion of sexual discrimination in that context. All refugees and
displaced persons, regardless of their sex, had to be ensured of the protection of their rights.
Today, and every day, women and children were dying in refugee camps, but they continued to
hold on to the hope of returning to their own land. Furthermore, women and children were being
held as hostages. Thousands had died as a result of the conflict.

Much progress had been made in the country, she continued. A ceasefire had been implemented in
the last two and a half years. The country was a democratic State, allowing for all rights and
freedoms. Economic reforms today had reached qualitatively new levels. The successes in that area
included a successful privatization process and increased foreign investment. Agrarian reform had
been successful. However, many of those positive changes were having little impact on the social
situation in the country, particularly on women.

Regarding political participation, women had participated in the electoral process, she said. Twelve
per cent of the seats in Parliament were held by women. Today, women at all levels of the society
were allowed equal rights and equal opportunities. The current direction of national policy assured
women representation on all areas of life. Non-governmental organizations were important and also
the main link between women and the various State structures. In addition to their progress in
access to political bodies and at management levels, women were represented in decisionmaking
positions at the local State level. In spite of such progress, however, there was currently only one
female minister of government; the glass ceiling still existed and prevented women from reaching the
decision-making levels. It had been very difficult to overcome those obstacles.

Referring to the conflict in Nagorny Karabakh, she said women in countries neighbouring
Azerbaijan had called for a peaceful resolution to the problem in that region. She stressed that
"Without a peaceful resolution of the problems of Nagorny Karabakh, it would not be possible to
implement the Convention."

Turning to specific articles of the Convention, she provided additional information. Regarding
articles 1 to 4 -- regarding the definition of discrimination against women, measures to eliminate it,
measures to ensure basic human rights and fundamental freedoms of women, and also measures to
accelerate de facto equality -- she said the Constitution guaranteed equal rights to all citizens
regardless of their sex, as did other laws such as the law on employment. In addition, capital
punishment had been abolished for women. Laws also existed for the protection of the family.
Apart from such laws, there were decrees by the President and action taken by cabinet ministers to
advance the protection of women's rights. The code on marriage and the family allowed for equal
rights and obligations for men and women to their children. Those rights could be lost if there were
abuses or if children were subject to cruel treatment.

Ms. Abdullazadeh referred to developments regarding prostitution in Azerbaijan, stressing that
social evil continued to exist. Certain individuals continued to take advantage of the disadvantaged
in the society. There was a concerted attempt by the State to bring the perpetrators to trial.
Regarding article 7, on the elimination of discrimination against women in political and public life,
she said the Constitution stipulated the rights to political office and participation in government.
Regarding article 8, on women in government at the international level, she said there were currently
15 women in Azerbaijani embassies and consulates -- two of whom were ambassadors. As a
young State, Azerbaijan had only 18 embassies or consulates. On article 10, on women in
education, she said men and women had the same rights to education. Free and compulsory
general and secondary education was provided. A 1992 law provided for free secondary
education regardless of sex. Assistance had been provided by international organizations to
establish the school system. Schools had been established to meet the needs of refugees and
displaced persons.

There was a stable trend in the increase of the number of girls in educational institutions, she said.
There were more girls than boys receiving higher education in the country -- a figure that had
increased over the years. Outlining preferences for areas of study and providing statistics on the
issue, she said girls chose areas of study such as medical and language related. Both groups chose
economics as a speciality. There had been attempts to encourage girls to take up areas of studies to
which they were not previously attracted.

On employment, she said women had been ensured certain benefits under the law, such as rights
during pregnancy, maternity leave and other leave arrangements to care for children. Assistance
was being given to mothers of large families. In 1996, laws were enacted regarding women in
occupied territories -- covering more than 50,000 women. Several thousands had been classified
as unemployed. Those women had been provided with pension rights and health care. Women's
rights to reproductive health had been seen in the context of their rights. They were supplied with
contraceptives. Family planning centres existed in all the regions of the country. Needy families
were entitled to family benefits. The legal age of marriage was 18. She stressed her country's
intention to make every effort to fully realize the creative potential of the women of Azerbaijan.

General Comments Several experts congratulated the presenter from Azerbaijan for the "brilliant"
presentation of her country's first report to the Committee, and expressed appreciation for the
additional information related orally. One expert said that she had read the report with great
attention because of her specific interest in the status of women in countries in transition. Two sides
of the situation concerning women emerged from such transition: the lack of benefits, on the one
hand, and the eventual emergence of benefits from independence and freedom of expression, on
the other. Given that the Azerbaijani society was a patriarchal one, the Committee did not wish to
see the historical heritage of a country abolished, but rather to evaluate the progress that had been
made concerning equality. In that regard, there was a need in Azerbaijan to have a clearer policy of
equal rights. A lot of obstacles remained, despite some progress.

The situation in Azerbaijan was actually "terrible", she continued. Following independence, the
country was still at war, and faced the problems associated with a very high number of refugees,
hostages and missing persons. While it was true, as the presenter suggested, that the entire
population was a victim of the situation, it was also true that women represented more than half the
population and, therefore, required special attention. Referring to the new constitutional measures
undertaken to ensure freedom, she noted that the Government's policy on equality emphasized the
woman as mother. While protection in that regard was very well developed, a special policy about
women as individuals was lacking. She regretted that the information concerning the elimination of
discrimination against women in political and public life that was presented this morning was not
contained in the report itself, because it had provided a much more precise picture of current events
and efforts being undertaken by the Government.

Continuing, she said she was "very much afraid" about the high level of poverty among the female
population, and asked about efforts being made in that regard. She sought further information, too,
about the economic trend of privatization, which seemed not to be benefiting women. She asked
about the status of women in the new economy, and about the direction of investments. Towards
solving the unemployment problem, she wished to see whether the country was directed only on the
oil potential or whether it was investing also in other directions. In addition, she requested more
information about the national machinery for women's advancement. She regretted the omission of
information in the report concerning the problems faced by rural women.

Another expert asked about the constitutional provision concerning equality, and how that principle
was being regulated and implemented in "real life". She sought further information on the right to
marry and on the right to divorce, and raised a number of questions concerning the judicial system.
Specifically, she asked whether the Supreme Court was also an Appeal's Court.

Noting that the majority of people in Azerbaijan were Muslims, she wished to know whether
religious law applied in family matters relating to women and children, and specifically whether there
was a religious court that decided such matters. If so, what was the relationship between the
religious courts and the State courts; and which law was being applied. Did the Supreme Court
also receive appeals on cases concerning marriage and inheritance, and were religious courts
autonomous? In the case of conflict between religious and State law, which law prevailed? Did the
principles of State law and religious law follow the same philosophy or did they differ? What was
private law like, particularly regarding the status of women -- could a married women submit a
claim to Court, and could she appear in Court on her own behalf, or did she require the assistance
of a man? Finally, could a man divorce his wife without bringing the matter to the Court, and if
divorce was decided before a court, which Court?

Another expert said that it was commendable that the Government of Azerbaijan had ratified the
Convention just four years after the country's independence. That was a bold political step that
showed its commitment to the issue of women's rights. The report itself was frank, and provided
information on a very disturbing high rate of infant mortality, and a sharp increase in maternal
mortality rate. She sought additional information on the matter.

Another disturbing aspect reviewed in the report, she went on, was the economic situation of the
country. Indeed, the economic reforms had widened the gap between the rich and the poor. She
asked whether there were any programmes initiated by the Government, the World Bank and the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) to mitigate the negative impact of the economic recovery
programme. Were there any affirmative action measures in place to mitigate the negative impact of
structural adjustment, especially the impact on women and children? The clustering of the first four
articles of the Convention in the report was unfortunate, since each article was important and
should be handled separately, particularly the article concerning special measures of affirmative
action, an important aspect of countries undergoing transition.

Another correspondent drew attention to the utmost importance of the role of political authorities in
their commitment to eliminating discrimination. The Committee's experience suggested that there
were certain preconditions for the kind of active implementation required by the political authorities.
Those included a critical appraisal of the gender dimensions of a situation; recognition of the
practice and policies of discrimination; and limiting the patriarchal institutions and values. Such
examination necessitated extensive and deep research into the area of women's conditions and
equality, and required the internalization by decision- makers and the individuals. That could only
be achieved by a series of means, including large-scale media campaigns.

Clear legal definitions of what constituted discrimination, and specific policies to combat it were
also essential, as well as the institutionalization of mechanisms to monitor compliance, she said.
Azerbaijan had a moral history of active and accomplished women, particularly in the area of
education and in the professional sphere. Equalizing the mechanisms of a secular State also
benefitted society. More information concerning the existing conditions of women would be helpful.
She was pleased to learn of the establishment of a commission at the highest level to work on
women's issues, and wished to know more about its priorities. She also asked whether there was
an effort to develop a national plan of action, adding that safeguarding achievements and taking
steps in the right direction could only be effective if they were done in a timely fashion. The
establishment of a commission seemed to be a primary step in constructing a national machinery.

Noting that the achievements and high education of the women of Azerbaijan boded well for the
country's future, another expert recognized that the country also had to deal with the dramatic
consequences of the aggression of Armenia against its territorial integrity. The non-risk maternity
policy was a fundamental right for women and parameter by which the Committee could measure
the State's commitment to women's health rights. The infant and maternal mortality rates were
disturbingly high, and required well envisaged goals to reduce their alarming levels, for the very
dignity of women was at stake. What was lacking were laws appropriately implemented by a
forwardlooking legal process. Were women in the justice sector ensuring the acceptance of
women's rights in society? What text had been developed by the Parliament relating to the
Convention? Were there special programmes for displaced women and children? What
programmes and action had been undertaken to reduce the level of poverty, and did international
organizations assist in such programmes?

Comments on Specific Articles

Turning to article 2 of the Convention, concerning the legal and administrative measures undertaken
to eliminate discrimination, an expert drew attention to the statement in the report that State power
was limited in internal matters only by the law, and in foreign affairs, only by provisions arising out
of agreements to which the country was a party. She asked about the power of the human rights
treaties to which the country was a party, and whether there was any initiative to introduce a
definition of discrimination into the legislation. So-called legislative progress was not enough;
equality without a clear definition was insufficient. Concerning the national legislature's prohibition
and severe punishment for the failure to observe the country's constitutional human rights and
freedoms, she wished to know exactly which article of the Constitution contained cited sanctions
when equal rights were violated.

She said that as of the date of the report, September 1996, a constitutional court had not yet been
established, and she wished to know about specific progress in that regard. She also sought more
information about the report's statement that all residents who had suffered a violation of their
fundamental rights had at their disposal a full range of methods to resolve the situation. Concerning
the institution of criminal proceedings on grounds of a statement by a citizen or report from a trade
union or other social organization, she asked whether a trade union had used such criminal
proceeding to defend women's rights, and how women were organized in those trade unions.

She also asked about compliance with various human rights instruments to which Azerbaijan was a
party, specifically about the Parliament instructing the relevant institutions of the country to include
in its internal legislation matters related to the Convention. She expressed concern about the lack of
a specific response to article 3 of the Convention concerning the full development and advancement
of women. She also sought more information on the power of the national machinery and the level
of the political power, adding that certain steps were required. In addition, she asked for further
details on matters related to violence against women, and the protection of families.

An expert asked whether a mother or a divorced mother could be appointed guardian of the
children, and whether alimony was provided in the event of divorce. She sought information on how
the inheritance law applied to daughters and widows, specifically whether they had the same rights
as sons and ex-husbands or widowers.

Another expert expressed concern about the lack of information concerning disabled women,
adding that with the large number of refugees, the female population would likely face an onslaught
of future problems. Thus, any strategies or mechanisms to secure the handicapped persons' right to
education and employment opportunities was essential. Towards progress in affirmative action,
encouraging more women into politics was required, with quotas being a possible policy. If the
trend was towards a more segregated work force, she asked whether positive strategies were
being devised? She sought information on the level of domestic violence, and expressed the need to
examine ways to deal with it. She also requested more information on the number of rapes,
particularly in the light of the country's conflict.

One expert asked about access to courts to litigate cases of discrimination. What types of sanctions
existed under the law for those found guilty of discrimination? She also asked if the Convention had
been disseminated in Azerbaijan and whether it had been translated into local languages. Could
anyone call for compliance with the treaty? If force was used against women, what sanctions were
applied? Were there legal measures or persuasive measures being considered to address
derogatory practices that were discriminatory against women?

On article 3, which concerns women's basic rights and fundamental freedoms, an expert asked
when a special State unit would be established to deal with issues related to compliance with the
provisions of the Convention. What would be its political status and was there a date for its
establishment? In the interim, which body handled such issues? What were the objectives of
non-governmental organizations regarding the employment of women? Was there any dialogue
between them and the Government so that non-governmental organizations could influence
programmes and policies aimed at women?

She asked, further, what measures had been taken to overcome existing stereotypes of women's
role in society. How did the Government make sure that laws were implemented to ensure de facto
equality of rights? Did programmes exist to change the traditional mindset regarding women's
traditional roles. What was the media's role in eliminating discrimination against women? Were
there specific programmes -- national television, radio or press -- to influence the media so that
they could contribute to compliance with the Convention? How many female journalists were there
and how many women held high-level posts in the national media? Were there any campaigns being
carried out in the media to influence the image of women?

Insisting on the need for a national mechanism to ensure compliance with the provisions of the
Convention, another expert asked if Azerbaijan had been making use of the Convention as a basis
for its policies for women's advancement. Had the Committee's wide-ranging general
recommendations on such issues as violence against women and equality in marriage been taken
into account by the relevant bodies in Azerbaijan? She added that the Committee's experience was
that the more difficulties a country faced, and there was limited experience in its governmental
bodies, the more useful was the Convention in providing guidance. Also addressing article 3,
another expert asked for more details on the existence of, or the objective of promoting, a more
coherent and consistent approach and an overall policy with a clear, quantifiable strategy to
implement the Convention in Azerbaijan at present. In connection with article 5, on social and
cultural patterns that lead to discrimination, she said the question of violence had not been dealt
with at all; neither was the issue of stereotypes dealt with. The Committee could give advice on the
best strategies and approaches for dealing with stereotyping of women.

On article 4, another expert asked a series of questions about the will of the Azerbaijani
Government to address the issue of existence of a gap between de jure and de facto gender
equality. Was there an official policy to use temporary measures to accelerate the attainment of
equality? Had any nongovernmental organizations made any effort to accelerate de facto equality of
women?

Another expert said the report had provided insufficient information on affirmative action measures
for women in Azerbaijan. With a large percentage of the population living in poverty, and in the
context of the feminization of poverty, were there any measures to provide a manageable response
to assist women in facing poverty and in dealing with the consequences of the transition to a market
economy and to a neo-liberal society? She asked if the abolition of the death penalty had been
considered as an affirmative action measure. Why were women in the past sentenced to death? She
also asked about measures to deal with stereotypes of women's roles and if there were shelters for
abused women, and what were the types of punishment for men who abused their wives. To what
extent did men share domestic chores? she further asked.

Another expert asked about other measures which had been taken to protect women under the
Criminal Code, stressing the need for government bodies to oversee the implementation of such
laws. She also asked about effective measures to change customary practices that hindered the
achievement of equality of women, and for more information on violence against women, including
in the period of conflict. What was the level of violence against women during the transition period,
and what mechanisms were there to respond to those problems? She also asked about provisions
for child care.

Referring to articles 2 and 5, the Committee Chairperson, SALMA KHAN, expert from
Bangladesh, commended the Azerbaijani representative for the wide range of laws to protect
human rights in her country. The report suggested that all basic rights had been guaranteed and that
all the human rights instruments had been incorporated into domestic law. However, of concern to
the Committee was the lack of information on the violation of women's rights in the private sphere,
particularly the incidence of domestic violence on women. She asked for further elaboration on that
issue. She asked if prostitution was legal in Azerbaijan. She also asked about affirmative measures
in force during the Soviet era, if those quotas were still in existence, and if not, what measures had
been taken?

*The 361st meeting of the Committee was closed.