Human rights are rights that apply worldwide, to all people, in all places, at all times. They are the foundations of a democracy in which every person counts, and form the basis for open and free societies. The Netherlands has a rich tradition of defending human rights and strives to protect and promote human rights, both at home and abroad. Human rights serve as an important pillar in the Dutch foreign policy.

The Dutch human rights policy focusses on

• Freedom of expression, internet freedom and independent journalism
• Freedom of religion and belief
• Protection of human rights defenders
• Promote international rule of law and fight against impunity
• Equal rights of women and girls
• Equal rights of LGBTIQ+ people

In Azerbaijan we focus on gender equality, and strive to promote equal rights for women and girls, as well as for LGBTIQ+'s.

• Equal rights for women and LGBTIQ+ people are central to the Dutch human rights policy. In the coming years, the Netherlands will remain committed to improving the position of women and LGBTIQ+ people worldwide.
• This commitment coincides with the recently published Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP) of the Netherlands. With the FFP, the Netherlands aims to reduce inequality and to achieve gender and LGBTIQ+ equality all over the world.