The role of local goverments in the protection of environmental rights: The case of Azerbaijan

In this study, the causes of the emergence of environmental problems, which are a global problem all over the world, the factors affecting it and the basic policies for the protection of environmental rights are investigated. In particular, the importance, place and policies of the new democratic government system established after independence in Azerbaijan and the restructured local governments in protecting social environmental rights throughout the country were examined. This study investigates the laws and policies affecting the protection and development of environmental rights of local governments in Azerbaijan. For this purpose, first of all, in short, during the post-independence Heydar Aliyev period of Azerbaijan, the first decisions taken by local governments to protect environmental rights, the first policies and laws made, and then what duties and responsibilities they have, were determined, the activities carried out by local government units were examined and shown as a table / figure. Later, the role, decisions, laws and policies of local governments that developed with the Ilham Aliyev era in protecting environmental rights were examined. Subsequently, policy recommendations were made to the current local government system, decision makers and researchers who will work in this field in the future, taking into account the weaknesses in existing policies.