Azerbaijan | Ombudsman addresses relevant institutions to ensure urgent needs of Persons with Disabilities during COVID-19

The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva addressed to the relevant state bodies, the public and private sector actors the message drawing the attention to the issue of ensuring the urgent needs of persons with disabilities as they are among the high-risk groups of the population during the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19. 

In the message, the Ombudsman recommended to pay special attention to ensuring the mobile medical treatment and medications at the place of residence for those who suffer from various diseases, taking urgent measures to settle the homeless with disabilities in shelter and social rehabilitation centres, broadcasting TV programs in accessible formats (with tiflo and sign language interpretation), as well as online promotional programs and producing booklets and leaflets in Braille, extension by the banks of expired cards of the customers with disabilities for pension, social benefit and allowance payments for the special quarantine period, increasing attention and support by business entities to the employees with disabilities. 

In the message, the Ombudsman particularly pointed out the issues raised by the UN Special Rapporteur on Persons with Disabilities in her statement issued on the official website of OHCHR. The message of the Ombudsman has been posted on the official internet site of the Ombudsman Institution, as well as on the Facebook page and Twitter.

Source: Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman), Azerbaijan