Înapoi New project in the field of anti-corruption and anti-money laundering launched in Azerbaijan

New project in the field of anti-corruption and anti-money laundering launched in Azerbaijan

The first Technical Committee Meeting was convened to launch a new project in the field of anti-corruption and anti-money laundering in Azerbaijan, within the third phase of the European Union and the Council of Europe Partnership for Good Governance Programme. The meeting brought together representatives from key beneficiary institutions to present the activities to be implemented under the new project and discuss the expected results and timelines of the activities. The Technical Committee Meeting also underlined the role of the committee members in facilitating efficient coordination during the implementation of project activities.

All national stakeholders expressed their readiness to actively engage in project interventions aiming to support Azerbaijan’s efforts to prevent and combat all types of economic crimes. The stakeholders stressed the importance and timeliness of this project that will allow them to build on and retain the momentum in light of the newly introduced legislative and institutional frameworks and processes in the area of anti-corruption, anti-money laundering and recovery of illicit assets.

In view of emerging needs in the area of anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) and the newly adopted National AML/CFT Action Plan’s timelines, it was requested to revise the implementation timeframes for several project activities and envisage their delivery in 2023 or in early 2024. The meeting also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to highlight the significance of joint international and national interventions as a potentially more effective way of combining international experience and expertise with the local context. Additional and more specified areas of support were requested by national stakeholders during the meeting as well.  

Furthermore, with a view to ensure enhanced and effective application of anti-corruption and AML/CFT measures in Azerbaijan, national stakeholders underlined the need for support with the implementation of pending recommendations of the Fifth Round Evaluations of the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) and Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism (MONEYVAL).

The meeting represented an opportunity to reconfirm support for the government’s efforts in preventing and fighting economic crime through a strong and coordinated partnership. National stakeholders, on their part, reaffirmed their strong commitment to continue cooperation on the ground, to foster actions for combating corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing and recovering proceeds from economic crimes in a more efficient and meaningful manner.

 

This event was organised within the framework of the project on “Preventing and fighting economic crime in Azerbaijan”, co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe, in their Partnership for Good Governance III 2023-2027. 

Baku 12 April 2023
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Strasbourg, France Strasbourg, 1-2 July 2024
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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”.

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