Baku — The Milli Majlis (National Assembly) has approved a comprehensive legislative package aimed at strengthening the protection mechanisms for child rights in Azerbaijan.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the changes arising from the new draft law "On the Rights of the Child" were discussed and adopted during today's plenary session of the parliament. The reforms encompass amendments to the Civil Procedural, Family, and Criminal Procedural codes, as well as the laws "On Media", "On Social Service", and "On Protection of Children from Harmful Information". These innovations align the participation and safety of children in legal proceedings with international standards.
Mandatory participation of psychologists in court and investigation
Under the new legislation, children involved in legal proceedings are granted the right to express their views on matters affecting them. This process must be conducted in an informative, respectful, and safe environment. A critical component of the reform is that the process must be guided by specialists trained in child affairs.
This approach has necessitated significant changes to civil and criminal procedural legislation. In civil cases, the participation of a psychologist is now required when learning the opinions of children. Similarly, in criminal cases, the presence of a psychologist is mandatory during investigative measures such as interrogations, confrontations, and the verification of statements involving minor witnesses and victims.
New rules for media and confidentiality
The amendments also introduce restrictions on legal representatives to further protect the interests of the child. Specifically, individuals who have caused moral, physical, or material harm to a child are prohibited from acting as their legal representative in civil or criminal proceedings. This is deemed a critical step for the effective defense of the child's actual interests.
Significant steps have also been taken regarding the protection of personal data. According to the Criminal Procedural Code and the law "On Media", the disclosure of information regarding the identity of children involved in criminal proceedings (whether as suspects, accused, or victims) requires written consent. This consent must be obtained from both the child and their legal representative.
Protection for children in difficult life situations
A special chapter has been added to the draft law "On the Rights of the Child" regarding the protection of children in difficult life situations. Given the limited self-defense capabilities of this category of children, immediate measures must be taken upon their identification. To this end, new norms have been added to the law "On Social Service", identifying commissions for the protection of child rights as the primary bodies for detecting children in difficult circumstances, excluding those deprived of parental care.
Furthermore, the powers of the Prosecutor's Office in protecting child rights have been expanded. The proposal includes the prosecutor among the state bodies exercising control over the implementation of child rights. Corresponding changes were also made to the laws "On Advertising", "On Youth Policy", and "On Physical Education and Sports" for harmonization. Following the discussions, the bill was put to a vote and adopted in the third reading.
The adoption of these legislative updates reflects Azerbaijan's ongoing commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. By integrating psychological support and stricter privacy controls into the judicial system, the Republic of Azerbaijan aims to create a more child-friendly legal environment that prioritizes the best interests of the minor above all else.
