Baku: Social support mechanisms for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Azerbaijan are being gradually transitioned to a new model, APA reports. This change is reflected in the amendments to the Law "On the Social Protection of Internally Displaced Persons and Persons Equal to Them," which were approved by President Ilham Aliyev.

According to Azeri-Press news agency, the amendments indicate that social protection measures under the law will now remain in force for three years from the date an internally displaced person loses their IDP status. Previously, these measures were available for three years from the time conditions were created for IDPs to return to their former places of residence. Similarly, for persons equated with IDPs, measures were available until they could return to their previous places of residence or permanently settled elsewhere.

Previously, IDPs were permitted to arrange temporary accommodation independently, provided it did not infringe on the rights and interests of others. In such scenarios, executive authorities were tasked with relocating them to another residential property within the same settlement. The amendments have now removed the requirement for the alternative housing to be within the same settlement, mandating that executive authorities simply offer another residential property.

According to the transitional provisions, for IDPs who had been provided with free residences in liberated territories before the law came into force, the duration for which they are entitled to social protection will be calculated from the date they received such housing. Additionally, for IDPs studying on a tuition-paying basis at state higher and secondary specialized educational institutions, whose tuition fees are covered by the state budget, these fees will continue to be paid until they complete their education.