The Milli Majlis (National Assembly) of Azerbaijan has taken a significant step toward strengthening the legal protection of children. During a plenary session, a package of amendments arising from the new draft law "On the Rights of the Child" was approved in the first reading. These reforms involve substantial adjustments to several codes and existing laws to ensure a safer legal environment for minors in Azerbaijan.
Legislative Acts Undergoing Reform
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the comprehensive package of changes was discussed during today's plenary session of the parliament. The innovations cover the Civil Procedural, Family, and Criminal Procedural codes of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Furthermore, relevant amendments are planned for the laws "On Youth Policy," "On Social Services," "On Advertising," and "On Media." These updates also include documents specifically related to protecting children from harmful information and ensuring their digital safety.
Mandatory Psychologist Participation in Legal Proceedings
According to the new draft, a child's right to express their opinion during legal proceedings is firmly established. This process must be informative, conducted with respect for the child, and held in a secure environment. Crucially, the proceedings must be guided by specialists trained in child welfare matters.
This approach necessitates changes in both civil and criminal procedural legislation. The participation of a psychologist will become mandatory when obtaining the opinions of children in civil cases, as well as during the interrogation of underage witnesses and victims in criminal cases. These proposed norms will also apply to confrontations, on-site verification of testimony, investigative experiments, and the taking of samples for research.
Restrictions on Legal Representatives and Media Confidentiality
The legislation introduces a strict prohibition: individuals who have caused moral, physical, or material harm to a child are barred from acting as their legal representative in civil or criminal proceedings. This measure is vital for protecting the real interests of children and ensuring effective legal defense during investigations in Azerbaijan.
The document also strengthens the protection of personal data for children involved in the criminal process. Under the Criminal Procedural Code, the disclosure of the identity of minor suspects or victims will now require written consent. This consent must be obtained from both the child and their legal representatives. The same principle is being integrated into the law "On Media" to prevent the unauthorized exposure of vulnerable minors in the press.
Mechanisms for Children in Difficult Life Situations
The legislative framework for protecting children in difficult life situations is being significantly improved. A special chapter has been added to the draft law "On the Rights of the Child" for this purpose. Given the limited self-defense capabilities of children in these categories, the law mandates immediate action upon their discovery.
Specific duties are assigned to responsible bodies, with new norms added to the Law "On Social Services." The commissions for the protection of children's rights have been identified as the primary bodies for identifying children in difficult life situations, excluding those deprived of parental care who fall under separate jurisdiction.
Prosecutorial Oversight and Significance
The draft law notes that the powers of the Prosecutor's Office regarding the protection of child rights have been expanded in recent years. The body exercises procedural supervision over the fulfillment of children's rights in criminal and administrative offense cases. Under the new proposal, the prosecutor is officially included among the state bodies exercising state control over the implementation of child rights in Azerbaijan.
The modernization of child protection laws is a key component of Azerbaijan's social policy, aligning national legislation with international standards such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. By integrating psychological support and stricter media privacy, the Milli Majlis aims to minimize the trauma associated with judicial processes. Following extensive discussions, the bill was put to a vote and passed in its first reading.
