A/HRC/39/14 134. Azerbaijan reiterated its commitment to democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms. It provided details on the electronic court system, which was in the process of development. The Bar Association had been reformed to ensure the independence and quality of legal services. Azerbaijan actively cooperated with the Council of Europe and the United Nations on combating torture, and applied a zero-tolerance policy to torture, which was criminally liable. 135. Azerbaijan respected its commitments under the European Court of Human Rights. If the Court found a violation of an individual’s human rights by virtue of a final decision of the national courts, those decisions were reviewed in accordance with national legislation. In 2015 the European Court had delivered a judgment against Armenia in a case involving Azerbaijani internally displaced persons, confirming the fact of the ongoing occupation of a significant part of the territory of Azerbaijan by Armenia. The judgment had not been executed yet. Promotion of the rights of national minorities was also among the main priorities of the Government. Among other measures, there were television and radio programmes in minority languages, including Armenian. 136. Azerbaijan emphasized that over the past 15 years extreme poverty had been eliminated and absolute poverty had decreased to 5.4 per cent. GDP had grown by 3.2 times, the gross income of the population by 9.8 times and unemployment had been reduced to 5 per cent. Regional development programmes concentrated mainly on rural areas, including the construction and renovation of 8,000 km of roads, 300 bridges and tunnels, 52 km of gas pipelines for households, 8,000 schools, 300 kindergartens and 451 hospitals. About 700,000 persons in 487 rural settlements had gained access to clean water. 137. Azerbaijan noted that the draft law on disabilities was expected to be adopted by the parliament in the near future. Azerbaijan used the international classification of diseases in the identification of disabilities. 138. Azerbaijan stated that all necessary steps had been taken to ensure that persons in detention could communicate unhindered with human rights defenders. The State guaranteed the right to peaceful assembly and association and had not interfered in any lawful demonstrations. 139. Azerbaijan also noted that in 2017, 148 cases of human trafficking had been identified. The 47 children in detention were constantly monitored and computer-based learning opportunities were organized for them with a view to assisting their future reintegration into society. II. Conclusions and/or recommendations 140. The recommendations formulated during the interactive dialogue/listed below have been examined by Azerbaijan and enjoy the support of Azerbaijan: 140.1 Maintain the positive dynamics of ratifying international human rights treaties (Bangladesh); 140.2 Continue to align national human rights legislation with international human rights standards (Cuba); 140.3 Harmonize national legislation in conformity with the international treaties that Azerbaijan has acceded to (Egypt); 140.4 Continue to bring national human rights legislation in line with international human rights standards (Jordan); 140.5 Establish a national mechanism for coordination, implementation, reporting and follow-up of human rights issues in line with elements identified in the 2016 OHCHR guide on national mechanisms for reporting and follow-up (Portugal); 140.6 Strengthen national mechanisms for follow-up on the implementation of international human rights recommendations received by the State, through the establishment of a broad inter-institutional mechanism (Paraguay); 10

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