WORLD REFUGEE DAY MARKED IN AZERBAIJAN

Baku, June 19 (AzerTAc). The World Refugee Day, under the motto “Real people, real needs” was marked here on June 18 at the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall.
The event started with video address by UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres.
Speaking to the event, Azerbaijan`s Deputy Premier Ali Hasanov said Armenia`s occupation of Azerbaijani lands resulted in million of refugees.
He added “today, according to the UN High Commission for Refugees` 1951 convention and 1967 Protocol, a perfect legal base has been created in Azerbaijan to balance the rights and social protection of IDPs”.
Touching upon several UN conventions, Mr. Hasanov also said “most of them, especially about refugees are old, as during adoption of them there was not an IDP concept”.
Hasanov also spoke of reforms being conducted to settle problems of refugees and IDPs in Azerbaijan.
UN High Commission for Refugees` representative in Azerbaijan Arun Sala-Ngarm spoke of world refugees, IDPs and their plight.
The event brought together MPs, representatives of Azerbaijani governmental departments, state committees and agencies and diplomatic corps.