Înapoi Azerbaijan’s Financial Intelligence Unit learns about EU member state experience on ultimate beneficial ownership register

Azerbaijan’s Financial Intelligence Unit learns about EU member state experience on ultimate beneficial ownership register

The representatives of the Azerbaijani Financial Intelligence Unit (Financial Monitoring Service) were introduced to the process of development, implementation and management of the Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) Register in one of the EU member states in the framework of the project focusing on anti-money laundering and asset recovery actions to enhance the beneficial ownership transparency in the country.

Previous support included an extensive analysis of the relevant legislation aiming to improve the national beneficial ownership disclosure framework, and a series of consultative meetings.

Necessary data and information technologies, availability of access ensuring balance between privacy and transparency, supervision, quality and quantity control mechanisms, application of sanctions were key elements presented during the meeting. Furthermore, a live demonstration of the UBO register took place which allowed to visually experience and obtain a better understanding of the available features and functionalities of the register.

This exposure provided an opportunity for national authorities to build a clearer vision of the process of development and management of a UBO register and to improve their own beneficial ownership system.

This conference was organised within the framework of the project “Strengthening anti-money laundering and asset recovery in Azerbaijan”, funded jointly by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe in their Partnership for Good Governance II.

Azerbaijan 4 June 2021
  • Diminuer la taille du texte
  • Augmenter la taille du texte
  • Imprimer la page
Strasbourg, France Strasbourg, 1-2 July 2024
  • Diminuer la taille du texte
  • Augmenter la taille du texte
  • Imprimer la page
  • Imprimer en PDF
Addressing hate speech and hate crime: regional gathering of the network of Equality Bodies from the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership Region

A two-day workshop on addressing hate speech and hate crime took place at the premises of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, involving Equality bodies from the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership regions.  The event supported by the EU and Council of Europe, gathered 50 representatives from both regions who discussed and exchanged on the best practices, measures and common challenges when addressing hate speech and hate crime. Through monitoring and reporting, policy advocacy, raising awareness and supporting victims equality bodies play a fundamental role in protecting human rights and ensuring that all individuals are treated equally.

In her opening remarks, Angela Longo, Head of Anti-discrimination Co-operation Unit, Council of Europe, underlined the significant progress in engaging with Equality Bodies through this network, regularly exchanging best practices and addressing the challenges of hatred and intolerance in societies. She highlighted that this new chapter of discussion delves into the grey area between hate speech and hate crime, addressing issues of incitement and biases,

Representatives from Equality Bodies had the opportunity to discuss and enhance their knowledge on the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers Recommendation to member States on combating hate crime, adopted on 7th May 2024, as well as gain a clearer understanding of EU standards in the field of hate crime. Moreover, participants engaged in exchanges with peers from the Spanish Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia (OBERAXE), who shared insights on addressing hate speech in the public discourse. The National Office Against Racial Discrimination (UNAR) in Italy provided practical examples for developing counter-narratives and raising awareness initiatives.

They also explored opportunities to advocate for legislative reform, foster multisectoral co-operation, enhance data collection, and overall improve national mechanisms to counter hate crimes.

This seminar was organised within the action “Promoting equality and combating racism and intolerance in the Western Balkans” and the project “Promoting equality and non-discrimination: towards more resilient and inclusive societies” – co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe  under the joint Programmes “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” and “Partnership for Good Governance”.

Follow us on social media