Research on SDG 16
Baku State University (BSU) plays an active role in advancing research that contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. As a leading academic and research institution in Azerbaijan, BSU is committed to strengthening legal systems, promoting inclusive governance, protecting human rights, and fostering peaceful societies through evidence-based scholarship.
Recent studies by BSU scholars highlight diverse aspects of SDG 16, ranging from judicial reforms, human rights protection, cultural heritage in conflict zones, and environmental law during armed conflicts, to crime prevention strategies, privacy rights in the digital age, and post-conflict governance. Research has examined Azerbaijan’s legal reforms on in absentia trials, the extraterritorial application of the European Convention on Human Rights, and the balance between individual freedoms and data protection in the digital era. Other works have explored the legal status of states under aggression, the environmental and humanitarian consequences of war, and the legacies of international tribunals like Nuremberg for global justice.
In addition, BSU scholars have conducted empirical studies on crime victimization, white-collar crime reporting, and firearm ownership, providing critical insights for policy development in Azerbaijan and beyond. Comparative analyses with European and global practices further enhance the relevance of this research, situating Azerbaijan within the wider international discourse on peace and justice.
Through this body of work, BSU contributes not only to academic debate but also to practical policymaking, offering recommendations for improving judicial efficiency, safeguarding cultural and environmental rights, enhancing transparency, and building resilient institutions. By fostering a culture of research-driven dialogue on law, governance, and human rights, BSU reaffirms its mission to support peace, justice, and strong institutions at the national, regional, and global levels.
For all SDGs related articles please visit: https://www.scopus.com/pages/organization/60071969#tab=sdgs
1. Authors: Li, J., Mirzayeva, A., Pak, E., Akhundova, A.H.G., Panjieva, N.
Focus: Role of sustainable tourism in preserving and transforming cultural landscapes.
Methods: Comparative analysis of global practices, with emphasis on developing vs. developed countries.
Findings: Sustainable tourism boosts public engagement, jobs, and local pride, but developing countries face barriers like limited funding, poor policies, and low awareness.
Recommendation: Success requires strong government support and active community involvement.
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2. Authors: Mammadova, L.
Focus: Azerbaijan’s 2023–2024 legal reforms on in absentia trials.
Methods: Comparative legal analysis with Germany, Italy, and Turkey.
Findings: New laws ensure fair trial rights with representation and appeal, but challenges remain in notifying defendants and enforcing outcomes.
Recommendation: Improve defendant notification and post-trial enforcement mechanisms.
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3. Authors: Hashimova, L.F.
Focus: Relationship between cultural heritage protection and human rights.
Methods: Review of international legal documents, court practices, and case law.
Findings: Destruction of cultural heritage is a violation of human rights; growing legal trend integrates human rights into cultural heritage protection.
Recommendation: Strengthen international mechanisms linking human rights law and cultural heritage protection.
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4. Authors: Asadov, J., Safarli, G.
Focus: Environmental damage caused by armed conflicts.
Methods: Review of international legal conventions, case study of Garabagh conflict.
Findings: Armed conflicts harm farmland, water, and ecosystems; international law offers limited retroactive remedies.
Recommendation: Apply and strengthen International Law Commission Draft Principles for environmental protection during war.
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5. Authors: Khalilov, K.
Focus: Extraterritorial jurisdiction under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Methods: Case law analysis of ECtHR decisions.
Findings: Jurisdiction applied via spatial, personal, and alternative models; crucial for balancing regional scope with broader human rights objectives.
Recommendation: Adopt flexible models to ensure broader human rights protection beyond state borders.
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6. Authors: Humbatov, E.A.
Focus: Protection of privacy and personal data security in the virtual space.
Methods: Comparative analysis of Anglo-Saxon and European legal approaches.
Findings: Internet anonymity and borderless nature enable violations; existing frameworks differ in scope and enforcement.
Recommendation: Strengthen Azerbaijan’s data protection laws by adopting best international practices.
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7. Authors: Garashova, S.
Focus: U.S.-Azerbaijan relations (1991–2020).
Methods: Political, economic, diplomatic, and security analysis across four policy phases.
Findings: U.S. influence peaked with energy and democracy promotion but declined after 2015; Russia remains dominant.
Recommendation: Diversify Azerbaijan’s foreign policy partnerships to balance declining U.S. engagement.
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8. Authors: Rahimli, S.
Focus: Soviet Russia’s aggression against the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR).
Methods: Legal analysis of 1907 Hague Convention and early 20th-century international law.
Findings: Soviet annexation did not erase ADR’s international legal identity; Azerbaijan retained sovereignty under law.
Recommendation: Recognize continuity of ADR’s legal identity in modern international law discourse.
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9. Authors: Sevdimaliyev, R.M.
Focus: Rise and fall of the Sunni Awakening (Sahwa) movement in Iraq.
Methods: Historical-political analysis of tribal alliances and U.S. policy.
Findings: Movement weakened Al-Qaeda but collapsed due to political marginalization and U.S. missteps; many fighters later joined ISIL.
Recommendation: Future counterinsurgency strategies must ensure long-term political inclusion of local actors.
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10. Authors: Aliyeva, Z.
Focus: Azerbaijan’s crime prevention policies compared with international best practices.
Methods: Clustering methods (DBSCAN, K-Means) using 2021 crime and socio-economic data across 50 countries.
Findings: Azerbaijan clusters with Albania, Jordan, Mongolia, Romania, and Serbia; socio-economic context matters in policy adoption.
Recommendation: Adapt crime prevention models from comparable countries to Azerbaijan’s context.
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11. Authors: Shahbazov, I., Afandiyev, Z., Balayeva, A.
Focus: Factors influencing reporting of white-collar crimes in Azerbaijan.
Methods: Nationwide victimization survey analyzing financial and non-financial offenses.
Findings: Higher financial loss increases reporting; higher income decreases reporting for non-financial crimes; known offenders more likely to be reported; many cases settled privately.
Recommendation: Strengthen institutional trust and encourage formal reporting through public awareness and legal support.
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12. Authors: Ragimov, I.M., Abdullayev, C., Jafarov, A.M., Samedova, S.T., Alikperov, K.J.
Focus: Nuremberg Trials as the first international tribunal for war crimes.
Methods: Review of A. N. Savenkov’s monograph and historical-legal analysis.
Findings: Trials established accountability for Nazi leaders, shaped principles of international law, and introduced transitional justice mechanisms.
Recommendation: Use Nuremberg as a model for modern tribunals addressing crimes against humanity.
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13. Authors: Aliyeva, Z.
Focus: Impact of state policy on violence and crimes against human life and health.
Methods: Statistical analysis using crime rates, homicide data, socio-economic, and institutional variables across developing and transitioning states.
Findings: Strong institutions, higher GDP, and minimum wages reduce violence; punitive measures are less effective than improving social welfare.
Recommendation: Focus on socio-economic development and support for vulnerable populations to reduce violent crime.
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14. Authors: Shahbazov, I., Afandiyev, Z., Balayeva, A.
Focus: Victim reporting behavior in white-collar crimes in Azerbaijan.
Methods: Nationwide victimization survey covering fraud, bribery, unsafe goods, and food sales.
Findings: Financial loss increases reporting; higher income reduces reporting for non-economic crimes; strangers less likely to be reported; many cases resolved privately; no significant socio-demographic predictors.
Recommendation: Increase legal protections for victims and encourage formal reporting mechanisms.
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15. Authors: Ragimov, I.M., Abdullayev, C., Jafarov, A.M., Samedova, S.T., Alikperov, K.J.
Focus: International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg and its legacy.
Methods: Legal-historical analysis of the Tribunal’s proceedings and outcomes.
Findings: Established accountability for WWII crimes, introduced crimes against peace and humanity, and set precedents for transitional justice; rejected notion of being merely a “court of victors.”
Recommendation: Apply Nuremberg’s principles to strengthen modern international criminal law.
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16. Authors: Karimova, T.
Focus: Development of the right to publicity as a form of intellectual property.
Methods: Comparative analysis of Anglo-Saxon and Romano-German legal traditions.
Findings: Increased commercial use of personal images raises conflicts with media freedoms and trademarks; Azerbaijani law lacks clear regulation.
Recommendation: Introduce legal reforms in Azerbaijan for registering personal identification as trademarks.
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17. Authors: Shahbazov, I., Afandiyev, Z.
Focus: Gun culture and firearm ownership in post-conflict Azerbaijan.
Methods: Expert interviews and conflict-affected population surveys.
Findings: Low levels of gun crime; firearms mainly used for hunting and self-defense; absence of “conflict mentality” compared to other war-affected societies.
Recommendation: Maintain strict gun control policies to preserve low firearm-related crime rates.
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