BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 3. During today’s
plenary session, members of the Azerbaijani Parliament approved the
re-election of Sabina Aliyeva as the country's Commissioner for
Human Rights (Ombudsperson), according to a Trend's correspondent
present at the meeting.


Three candidates were nominated for the position of
Ombudsperson: Sabina Aliyeva, Elshana Valiyeva, and Jeyhun
Garajayev.


Following the vote, Sabina Aliyeva secured the highest number of
votes and was elected Ombudsperson for a seven-year term.


Sabina Aliyeva, who has been re-elected as the Commissioner for
Human Rights (Ombudsperson) of Azerbaijan, took the oath of office
in the parliament.


In the parliament, Sabina Aliyeva swore to perform her duties
with honor and dignity, to abide by the Constitution and laws of
Azerbaijan, and to act independently and impartially. Aliyeva
expressed her gratitude to the President of Azerbaijan Ilham
Aliyev, the Speaker of the Parliament, and the MPs for the trust
placed in her.


Sabina Aliyeva was first elected Ombudsperson by the Azerbaijani
Parliament on November 29, 2019, from among three candidates
proposed by the President of Azerbaijan.


Sabina Aliyeva was born on May 7, 1980, in Baku. In 1996, she
graduated from Baku Secondary School No. 8 with a certificate of
distinction. She pursued her bachelor’s degree (1996–2000) and
master’s degree (2000–2002) at the Faculty of Law of Baku State
University, graduating with honors at both levels. Between 2009 and
2012, she pursued additional higher education in International
Relations at the Academy of Public Administration under the
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In 2016, she earned a PhD
in Law after defending her dissertation on the application of
international legal norms, specifically regarding the protection of
the rights of persons with disabilities, within the framework of
Azerbaijani legislation.


She began her professional career in 2000 at the Constitutional
Court of Azerbaijan. Following service in various roles, she was
appointed Deputy Chief of the Staff of the Constitutional Court in
2015. In 2016, she was awarded the rank of 3rd-class State
Counselor.


On November 29, 2019, she was elected by the Azerbaijani
Parliament as the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) of
Azerbaijan, a position she has held ever since. As Ombudsperson,
her primary areas of activity include the protection of human and
civil rights, the investigation of instances where rights and
freedoms have been violated, the monitoring of state bodies to
ensure compliance with human rights, and the promotion of legal
awareness. As part of international activities, in 2023, the
Ombudsman was elected Vice-President of the Asian Ombudsman
Association. That same year, the Ombudsman was elected as a member
of the Board of Directors of the Ombudsman Association of the
Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Furthermore, the Ombudsperson
serves as a mentor for the "Yukselish" competition, established by
the President of Azerbaijan, and was a member of the COP29
Organizing Committee.


The Ombudsman may not engage in political activities nor be a
member of any political party. Additionally, the Ombudsperson may
not hold a leadership position within a non-governmental
organization. Within five business days of being elected to the
post, the Ombudsperson must cease any activities incompatible with
their status. On the day of their election, the Ombudsperson takes
an oath at a session of the Azerbaijani Parliament, pledging to
abide by the Constitution and the laws, to perform their duties
with honor and dignity, and to act independently and
impartially.


A citizen of Azerbaijan may be elected as Ombudsperson, provided
they are at least 30 years of age, hold a higher education degree,
possess experience in the field of human rights protection, and
demonstrate high moral standards. Individuals who hold dual
citizenship, have obligations toward other states, serve within the
legislative, executive, or judicial branches, engage in other paid
activities (excluding scientific, pedagogical, or creative work),
have been declared legally incompetent by a court, or have been
convicted of serious or especially serious crimes are ineligible
for this position.