OSCE Office supports implementation of domestic violence prevention law

BAKU, 11 March 2011 – The OSCE Office in Baku, in co-operation with the State Committee on Family, Women and Children’s Affairs, held a conference today to support the implementation of the Law on Prevention of Domestic Violence, raising awareness about the matter and sharing international experience in addressing it.

The conference brought together 80 Government officials, representatives of law enforcement agencies, civil society, journalists, staff of new shelters and international experts. Participants spoke about the scope of domestic violence in Azerbaijan and its impact on society; discussed the law, presented best international practices of its implementation and discussed how they can be applied in the local context.

“We seek to foster productive collaboration between the Government and civil society through providing and discussing international examples of such co-ordination, as well as ways to ensure the effective implementation of the new law against domestic violence in Azerbaijan,” said Ambassador Bilge Cankorel, the Head of the OSCE Office in Baku.

“The adoption of the Law on the Prevention of Domestic Violence is a significant step forward for Azerbaijan in terms of gender equality and protection of its most vulnerable citizens, including children, as well as the fulfillment of international obligations.”

Ivana Dufkova, Deputy Head of the Police College of the Interior Ministry in Prague, and Diyana Videva, a civil society expert from a Bulgarian non-governmental organization Alliance for Protection Against Domestic Violence provided insights on how law enforcement agencies and civil society can jointly contribute to the full implementation of domestic violence legislation. Mehriban Zeynalova, the Head of Clean World Public Union and a civil society-led shelter for women shared her experience in working on the domestic violence problem in Azerbaijan.

The OSCE Office in Baku will continue similar activities in the regions in collaboration with the State Committee on Family, Women and Children’s Affairs, as well as with other Government authorities such as the Interior Ministry, local authorities and law enforcement agencies, and with civil society. The Office will also train staff of newly-established support centers and organized specialized courses for law enforcement agencies.