A meeting on the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities was held at the Karabakh Regional DOST Center.

As part of the implementation of state monitoring in the field of the rights of persons with disabilities, the next meeting was held at the Karabakh Regional DOST Center. The event was attended by members of the State Monitoring Commission on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as representatives from the local executive authorities of Ganja, Mingachevir, Yevlakh, Sheki cities and Barda district, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Science and Education, the Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, relevant regional representatives of TABIB, and representatives of non-governmental organizations.

At the regional meeting titled “Inclusivity is not charity, it is a right!”, Chairman of the Board of the DOST Agency, Farid Mammadov, spoke about the work carried out by the state in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, as well as the goals and objectives of organizing state monitoring in this area. It was emphasized that the main purpose of holding the event in Barda city was to monitor the current situation regarding the rights of persons with disabilities living in the regions in addition to the capital, to identify their needs, and to raise awareness.

The meeting included discussions on accessibility, inclusivity, and reasonable accommodation in areas such as healthcare, rehabilitation, social support services, education, urban infrastructure, public transportation, information accessibility, projects, and public participation related to persons with disabilities.

The session also featured an exchange of views on various activities and projects focused on inclusivity being carried out in the capital and regions as part of the “Human Rights Month.”

Later, the participants visited the Karabakh branch of the DOST Inclusive Development and Creativity Center, also known as the “DOST House.” They were provided with detailed information about the services offered, social projects implemented, and the training process organized at the center.

It should be noted that according to Decision No. 400 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated September 9, 2019, the “Rules for the Implementation of State Monitoring in the Field of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” were approved. Based on this decision, the responsibility for conducting the monitoring was assigned to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population. Accordingly, a Monitoring Commission consisting of employees of the ministry’s subordinate institutions has been established.