Baku, November 13, 2025 – The Europe Today: An international conference titled “Constitution and the Rule of Law in Modern Legal Systems” was held in Baku on November 12, with the support of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and organized by the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan.
The event commenced with the screening of a video marking the 30th anniversary of the Constitution of Azerbaijan.
Farhad Abdullayev, Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan, opened the conference by delivering an address on behalf of President Ilham Aliyev to the participants. In his remarks, Abdullayev emphasized that, in accordance with the Presidential Order dated December 28, 2024, the year 2025 has been declared the Year of Constitution and Sovereignty in Azerbaijan. He highlighted the adoption of the Azerbaijani Constitution as one of the most remarkable contributions of National Leader Heydar Aliyev to the Azerbaijani nation.
Addressing the conference, Sabina Aliyeva, Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) of Azerbaijan, underscored 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 reflects the high value the nation places on human rights.
Aliyeva noted that, under the leadership of Heydar Aliyev, significant steps were taken to institutionalize human rights protection, including the adoption of a state program, the creation of the ombudsman institution, and the enactment of the Constitutional Law on the Ombudsman. She added that these developments were further strengthened by subsequent constitutional amendments.
Highlighting the continuity of this vision, Aliyeva stated that the domestic and foreign policies of President Ilham Aliyev and the consistent legal reforms undertaken under his leadership have laid the foundation for a new stage in Azerbaijan’s statehood, ensuring the rule of law, democratic governance, and the principles of a legal state.
She also pointed out that extensive legislative amendments have been introduced to align the mandate of the Ombudsman with international standards, and that new fields of activity have been identified. Aliyeva further stressed the importance of adapting to globalization, geopolitical changes, and technological advancements, emphasizing the need for modern mechanisms to safeguard human rights effectively.
The Commissioner underscored the necessity of refining the legal framework to harmonize modern trends with constitutional principles, studying international best practices, expanding the use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, and enhancing cybersecurity coordination mechanisms.
Other speakers at the conference included Gunduz Karimov, Head of the Department of Legislation and Legal Policy of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration; Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi, Federal Ombudsman of Pakistan and President of the Asian Ombudsman Association; and Teresa Rodríguez de las Heras Ballell, President of the European Law Institute.
The conference continued with panel discussions on topics such 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.”
The event concluded with closing remarks delivered by Chairman Farhad Abdullayev, who commended the participants for their valuable contributions to the dialogue on constitutionalism and the rule of law in the contemporary world.
