We, deputies of Milli Mejlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, support the campaign of the Council of Europe on the fight against violence against women, including violence in private life, and assume the responsibility to render assistance to realize it with all available parliamentary means.

Violence against women is a calamity on a global scale. It knows no geographic or age limits, and no ethnic or religious group is secure. Women in mass are becoming victims of cruel violent actions, especially during military conflicts. The Azerbaijani nation experienced these bitter consequences. As result of the military aggression of Armenia against our country, thousands of Azerbaijani women were killed, injured, subjected to torture and abused. And today, hundreds of women-prisoners and hostages are kept in unbearable conditions in Armenia, and they are forced to labor beyond their strength and to endure other forced acts in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

Respect towards women has always constituted one of basic values of Azerbaijani society, which is based upon the deepest stratum of morality and mentality of our nation. Our society has always had a negative attitude towards any fact of violence against women, including violence in private life. Despite this openly negative attitude of society towards this intolerance and trouble, efficient measures have been realized only recently on the part of the Azerbaijan state, as in many countries of the world.

We, as representatives of the Azerbaijani nation, openly and strongly condemn any violence against women. We accept no approach characterizing violence against women as a “family” or “personal” issue. Any violence, including violence in private life, should be taken as a serious violation of the rights of women, and should be subject to strict responsibility. Violence in private life entails difficult physical, emotional and social consequences for women, children, the family and society as whole. That is why an adequate attitude of state authorities on the issue in question is necessary.

In this connection, we, based on respecting international standards and the positive experience of a number of European countries, assume responsibility for the adoption of the necessary legislative acts to fight violence against women, including violence in private life. We understand that these acts should, first of all, envisage protection of victims of violence, support and help them, and prescribe appropriate sanctions with respect to the persons who committed such unlawful actions.

We confirm that the fight against violence, including violence in private life, should be one of the most important issues of our political agenda. We should provide detailed learning and realization of the problem, and the way to prevent it. Along with the above legislative measures it is necessary to adopt a fundamental action plan jointly with international and national partners. The action plan should contain different measures, including carrying out large-scale educational work, the organization of the teaching process, and the necessary steps directed to ensure true gender equality, monitoring and evaluation of progress achieved. NGOs may also contribute to this work.

We are sure that the prevention of violence against women, including violence in private life, will promote the creation of a more just society in which the fundamental rights of women and men will be equally respected.

Milli Mejlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan hopes that the joint efforts of state authorities, supported by the population, will enable us all to go forward in the prevention of this problem, which is a stain on  human dignity.

Source: Statement of Milli Mejlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Prevent Violence against Women, Including Violence in Private Life, NGO "Right of Choice", December 30, 2006