Monitoring Report on Assessment of Human Rights Situations in Cotton Fields of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Abstract

The Monitoring Report on assessment of human rights situations in cotton fields of the Republic of Azerbaijan produced by local experts reviews the current state of growth mechanisms of cotton production in Azerbaijan, including the latest state policy applied in the cotton sphere. It is worth highlighting that the level of compliance with human rights requirements as been evaluated based on the facts and data collected across seven regions (Salyan, Hajigabul, Sabirabad, Saatli, Imishli, Beylagan and Fuzuli) of the Republic of Azerbaijan specialized in cotton production. These facts and statistics were developed thanks to the followings: 1) Collection of genuine and accurate data during cotton harvesting period; 2) Video footages, photo facts; 3) Results of surveys conducted among farmers as well as employees of budgetary institutions who have been forced to cotton harvesting, and voluntary cotton harvesters; 4) Monitoring and observations carried out across seven regions.

Keywords: Azerbaijan, agriculture, cotton, cotton harvest, farmer, forced labor, child labor, working conditions, labor rights