Baku: Ghada Hameed Habib, the Ombudswoman, participated in the recent international conference titled "The Constitution and the Rule of Law in Modern Legal Systems", held in Azerbaijan. The event was held under the patronage of His Excellency Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, and organised by the Constitutional Court in cooperation with the Presidential Administration.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the conference gathered representatives from ombudsman institutions, constitutional courts, and judicial bodies spanning Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, Europe, and the Caucasus. Participating countries included the Kingdom of Bahrain, Trkiye, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, and several European states. Discussions centered on judicial and institutional cooperation, the role of justice and transparency in reinforcing the rule of law, and national experiences in safeguarding human rights and fostering modern legal systems.
The Ombudswoman stated that the Ombuds Office's involvement demonstrates the Kingdom's dedication to enhancing international cooperation and exchanging institutional expertise. She highlighted that Bahrain's participation underscores the active role of the Ombuds Office within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Ombudsmen Association (OICOA) and its commitment to advancing professional practices aligned with international standards.
She further mentioned that this global forum participation aligns with the Memorandum of Understanding signed last year between the Ombuds Office and the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights in Azerbaijan. This agreement aims to strengthen technical and training cooperation, as well as exchange leading practices in complaint handling, independent investigations, and the promotion of justice and integrity.
The Secretary General noted that such engagements are crucial for broadening professional partnerships among oversight bodies in OIC member states, supporting joint efforts to improve institutional performance in the interest of justice, accountability, and the protection of individual rights. She concluded by emphasizing that Bahrain's presence at the conference reflects the growing international stature of the Ombuds Office and embodies the Kingdom's vision of constructive openness and collaboration with regional and international institutions to advance justice and uphold human dignity.