OSCE Office presents handbook in Azerbaijani on human rights for military personnel

BAKU, 13 December 2011 – Today the OSCE Office in Baku presented an Azerbaijani-language version of the Handbook on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Armed Forces Personnel.

The presentation hosted by the Academy of Public Administration was followed by an extensive discussion among government officials, including those from the Defence Ministry, Ombudsman Office, international experts and civil society representatives.

The handbook was first published in 2008 by the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces and the OSCE Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. The handbook presents an overview of legislation, policies and mechanisms for ensuring the protection and enforcement of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of armed forces personnel in OSCE participating States.

“Human rights and fundamental freedoms apply to everyone,” said the Acting Head of the OSCE Office in Baku, Melissa Stone, during the presentation. “Armed forces personnel, whether professional or conscripted, are entitled to the same rights and protections as all other persons, although certain restrictions to these rights may apply due to the requirements of military life including security concerns.” She added that the purpose of this publication is to promote awareness among armed forces personnel of their rights and support the government in ensuring their protection.

The OSCE Office in Baku is distributing hard copies of the handbook free of charge. Online versions in three languages (Azerbaijani, English and Russian) are available on the website of the OSCE Office in Baku at //www.osce.org/az/baku/86120.