Azerbaijan

Government responses

Mainstreaming of disability inclusion, participation, and partnerships

• [1 April 2020] In the message to the state and local self-governing institutions, business entities and other organizations, the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) emphasized the duty to protect persons with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• [19 June 2020] The Ombudsman Office has held a series of awareness-raising events devoted to the rights of young people, mentioning the principles of proportionality, necessity, and non-discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic. One event was dedicated to the rights of children and young persons with disabilities.

Social protection and employment support

• [n.d.] There has been an extension of the term of disability that expired on 1 March 2020, lasting until the end of the quarantine period. This measure has covered 14,000 people, and AZN 2.6 million has been allocated for this purpose.
• [15 April 2020] The government has announced that it would pay 50 per cent of the tuition fees for vulnerable students studying at universities and specialized secondary and vocational schools. The beneficiaries include recipients of targeted state social assistance and persons whose parents have I or II degree disabilities.
• [16 April 2020] The Ombudsman has supported low-income families in Baku and other regions, with food package deliveries to persons aged over 65 and persons with disabilities who live alone.
• [27 July 2020] The average monthly pension has been increased by 27 per cent in the first six months of 2020, reaching $176.4. The beneficiaries include 380,900 persons with disabilities.
• [9 September 2020] Social programmes, such as the self-employment programme, have been continued amid the pandemic. The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection has taken measures to increase access of persons with disabilities to the labour market and small businesses by developing specialized profile tests, modular training programmes, and professional standards for persons with disabilities.

Institutions and facilities 

• [n.d.] Social services have been provided for persons with special needs in social service institutions and facilities.

Last modified: 6 May 2021