UN human rights expert to address the situation of internally displaced persons in Azerbaijan

GENEVA (13 May 2014) – The UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Chaloka Beyani, will conduct a visit to Azerbaijan from 18 to 24 May 2014 to examine the overall situation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country. Mr. Beyani will visit IDP settlements in the cities of Baku and Sumgayit and in districts hosting large numbers of IDPs.

“During my seven-day visit, I will gather first-hand information from all stakeholders, including displaced persons and affected communities themselves,” said Mr. Beyani.

“I will also look at current challenges and opportunities for durable solutions for IDPs in Azerbaijan, and discuss the progress made with regard to their protection and assistance,” he added.

The Special Rapporteur will meet with representatives from the Government, UN partners and civil society, among others. He will also visit various sites of displacement and meet with internally displaced persons and local authorities.

Mr. Beyani will present preliminary observations at a press conference in Baku on 23 May 2014 from 4 to 5 pm, at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office. His full report will be presented to the Human Rights Council in June 2015.

ENDS

Chaloka Beyani, professor of international law at the London School of Economics, was appointed Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons by the Human Rights Council in September 2010. As Special Rapporteur, he is independent from any government or organization and serves in his individual capacity. Learn more, visit:http://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-internally-displaced-persons

To see the 2010 report by the previous mandate holder, please visit: http://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-internally-displaced-persons/country-visits

The Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement: http://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-internally-displaced-persons/international-standards

UN Human Rights, Country Page – Azerbaijan: http://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/azerbaijan

For more information and media requests, please contact:
In Baku (during the visit): Dag Sigurdson (+ 994 50 214 60 70 / sigurdso@unhcr.org)
In Geneva (before and after the visit): Marie-Eve Friedrich (+41 22 917 9713 / mfriedrich@ohchr.org) or write to idp@ohchr.org

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