Sustainable Development Goals at Baku State University.

A commemorative event dedicated to 18 June – Human Rights Day was held at the Faculty of Law of Baku State University (BSU) with the participation of the ASAN Volunteers Organization.

The Dean of the Faculty of Law, Zaur Aliyev, delivered a presentation on “The Development of Human Rights in Azerbaijan.” He welcomed the staff of the Sumgayit Regional ASAN Service Center No. 2 and ASAN volunteers attending the event, noting the growing scope of volunteer engagement in the field of human rights in the country. He also emphasized the successful activities of youth organizations operating at the university and highlighted the significance of holding the event ahead of Human Rights Day.

Speaking about the importance of human rights education, Zaur Aliyev stressed that awareness of human rights is essential for everyone, regardless of their field of study or profession. Referring to the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 1948, he noted that this date is internationally observed as Human Rights Day. He also emphasized that one of the primary purposes behind the establishment of the United Nations was to ensure the effective protection of human rights. In this context, he highlighted the significance of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the development of the international human rights system.

The dean explained the differences between treaties and declarations and discussed the activities of treaty-monitoring bodies, including the Human Rights Committee and the Committee on the Rights of the Child. He also addressed the significance of observing 18 June as Human Rights Day in Azerbaijan pursuant to a presidential decree and reviewed the reforms initiated by Heydar Aliyev in the field of human rights protection, including the abolition of the death penalty. He noted that Heydar Aliyev had emphasized the incompatibility of capital punishment with human dignity and underscored that respect for human dignity stems from the moral values historically cultivated by the Azerbaijani people.

The presentation also referred to the views of Azerbaijani and international thinkers on human rights. It was noted that the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, authored under the leadership of Heydar Aliyev, guarantees a broad range of human and civil rights and freedoms. Participants were informed that, for the first time in the country’s constitutional history, the Constitution incorporated the concept of natural rights and established guarantees for fundamental rights such as the right to life, equality, work, and education.

Zaur Aliyev further emphasized that the reforms initiated by Heydar Aliyev in the sphere of human rights protection are being successfully continued by Ilham Aliyev. He also referred to key state programs approved in this area, including the National Action Plan on the Protection of Human Rights in the Republic of Azerbaijan adopted in 2006 and the National Action Program on Increasing the Effectiveness of the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms adopted in 2011.

In addition, it was highlighted that the humanitarian mission launched by Heydar Aliyev is being actively continued by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Under the leadership of Mehriban Aliyeva, the Foundation carries out significant initiatives in the protection of women’s and children’s rights, as well as in the implementation of educational and social projects.

At the conclusion of his speech, the dean answered questions from participants and shared his views on human rights protection, international and national human rights mechanisms, and legal awareness among young people.

The Chair of the Faculty of Law Student Youth Organization and third-year student, Vagif Khalil, provided information about the main areas of activity of student organizations within the faculty and emphasized the importance of initiatives aimed at protecting students’ rights and increasing their civic engagement.

The event continued with a presentation by Sabuhi Salamov, who discussed the activities of ASAN volunteers and highlighted initiatives promoting human rights and enhancing citizen satisfaction.

SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)