On October 1, 2019, a working meeting was held between the Director of the Institute of Law and Human Rights of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, Doctor of Law, Professor Ayten Mustafazade and President of the National Paralympic Committee of Azerbaijan Ilgar Rahimov. At the meeting, the parties exchanged views on ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities.
During the meeting, A. Mustafazadeh noted that the Institute of Law and Human Rights of ANAS is interested in cooperation with the National Paralympic Committee to ensure the full rights of people with disabilities. This cooperation can be aimed at integrating people with disabilities into society in order to ensure their employment and accessibility.
According to her, the main problems faced by persons with disabilities in Baku and other regions of the country are related to their limitations. It is important to ensure that people with disabilities are able to move freely around the city and in various institutions. “The Institute of Law and Human Rights of ANAS has done a lot of work in this direction. But cooperation with the National Paralympic Committee is more beneficial for greater work efficiency, ”she said.
In turn, Ilgar Ragimov, the President of the NPK, presented information about the organization he leads. He noted that the National Paralympic Committee is mainly a sports organization. However, the Committee is the largest body in the country whose activities are related to persons with disabilities.
“Our main goal is to integrate people with disabilities into society through sports. Whether we like it or not, we deal with other issues of people with disabilities. Lack of access to the streets, universities, schools and sports arenas where competitions are held makes it difficult for disabled athletes to work. Therefore, we must work to solve these problems, ”he added.
Ilgar Ragimov said that attempts are being made to make infrastructure facilities accessible to people with disabilities in the country, and said that they are cooperating with international organizations to train specialists in this field.
During the meeting, Ms. Ayten Mustafazade proposed to sign a memorandum of cooperation to strengthen cooperation between the Institute of Law and Human Rights of ANAS and the National Paralympic Committee. NPK President Ilgar Ragimov welcomed this proposal. An agreement was reached to continue work in this direction.