12.11.2025

On November 12, an international conference on “Constitution and the rule of law in modern legal systems” was held in Baku, with the support of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and organized by the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan.

The event began with the screening of a video dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Azerbaijani Constitution.

Farhad Abdullayev, Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan delivered an address from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to the conference participants.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Azerbaijani Constitutional Court emphasized that according to the Presidential Order dated December 28, 2024, the year 2025 was officially declared the Year of Constitution and Sovereignty in the country. He also described the adoption of the Azerbaijani Constitution as one of the exceptional contributions made by National Leader Heydar Aliyev to the Azerbaijani people.

Addressing the event, Sabina Aliyeva, Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) of Azerbaijan, highlighted that the establishment of the protection of human rights and freedoms as the supreme goal of the state in the first Constitution of independent Azerbaijan, which was drafted under the leadership of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and adopted through a referendum, reflects the highest value placed on human rights.

The Commissioner emphasized that, through the decrees and orders of National Leader Heydar Aliyev to effectively defend, ensure, and promote human rights, the relevant state program was adopted; the ombudsman institution as an effective human rights protection mechanism was established, which was followed by the adoption of the Constitutional Law on the Ombudsman; and the Constitution was amended accordingly.

The Commissioner said that the successful domestic and foreign policies pursued by President Ilham Aliyev, along with the consistent reforms and significant decisions implemented, have laid the foundation for a new stage in the history of Azerbaijan’s independent statehood. She noted that the constitutional amendments and the improvement of the legal framework have created favorable conditions for ensuring the rule of law and for the development of democratic governance and the principles of a legal state.

She noted that as a result of the legal reforms initiated by the President, significant legislative amendments have been made to fully align the Ombudsman’s mandate, who plays a special role in ensuring human rights and freedoms, with international legal standards, and that new areas of activity have been identified.

The Commissioner stated that globalization processes, geopolitical shifts in international relations, and the rapid technological advancements necessitated the application of new mechanisms for the flexible and effective protection of human rights and freedoms.

Sabina Aliyeva underlined the importance of improving the legal framework in order to harmonize modern trends and new legal relations with constitutional principles, of studying relevant good international practices, of ensuring the proper use of digital technologies and AI, and of establishing coordinated cybersecurity mechanisms.

Other speakers included Gunduz Karimov, Head of the Department of Legislation and Legal Policy of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration; Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi, Federal Ombudsman of Pakistan, President of the Asian Ombudsman Association; Teresa Rodríguez de las Heras Ballell, President of the European Law Institute.

The event continued with the panel discussions revolving around such topics as “Constitutional Values and Human Rights: Global Trends and Challenges,” “Constitutional Principles: The Path to the Rule of Law,” and “Constitutionalism and State Sovereignty in an Era of Global Legal Transformations”.

Subsequently, Chairman of the Azerbaijani Constitutional Court Farhad Abdullayev delivered closing remarks.