Awareness Event Held at BEU Within the Framework of "Human Rights Month"

An awareness event has been held at Baku Engineering University (BEU) within the framework of "Human Rights Month," declared annually by the Commissioner for Human Rights - the Ombudsman - for the period of May 18 to June 18.

The event aimed to strengthen human rights awareness among students, foster a culture of law, and draw attention to pressing legal issues relevant to the modern era.

Opening the event with welcoming remarks, Head of the General Disciplines Department Humeyre Mustafayeva spoke about state policy implemented in Azerbaijan in the area of protecting human rights and freedoms. She noted that the "State Programme on the Protection of Human Rights," approved by National Leader Heydar Aliyev on June 18, 1998, laid the foundation for systematic work in this field. In a subsequent phase, the establishment of June 18 as Human Rights Day by a decree of President Ilham Aliyev dated June 18, 2007, stands as a testament to the importance accorded at the state level to the protection of human rights.

Emphasizing the significance of awareness in this field, Mustafayeva stated that the formation of a legal culture begins with every citizen knowing their rights and responsibilities. She drew attention to issues of particular relevance today, including the preservation of family values, prevention of early marriages, expansion of educational opportunities for girls, promotion of a climate of tolerance, protection of rights in the digital environment, ensuring the security of personal data, combating disinformation, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence technologies.

Associate Professors of the department Khagan Balayev and Rabil Mehdiyev subsequently delivered speeches on the topic. The presentations provided detailed information on the work carried out to ensure human rights in Azerbaijan, the role of institutions operating in this sphere, commitments undertaken within the framework of cooperation with international organizations, and the results achieved.

During the presentations, it was emphasized that the international treaties to which Azerbaijan is a party, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, national legislation, state programmes, strategies, and national action plans are of significant importance in the promotion and protection of human rights.

Within the framework of the event, particular attention was also devoted to the significance of the declaration of 2026 as the "Year of Urban Planning and Architecture" from the perspective of promoting human rights. It was noted that modern urban planning approaches necessitate the creation of safe, healthy, and inclusive living environments, consideration of the needs of vulnerable groups, ensuring ecological sustainability, and strengthening public participation - factors that constitute one of the fundamental conditions for the effective realization of human rights and freedoms.

The event continued with interactive discussions, during which participants' questions were answered and an exchange of views was held on the challenges facing human rights in the modern era.