Ombudsman took part in the events on implementation of the Order on Pardoning

As already reported, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed an Order on pardoning several convicts on April 6, 2020. While issuing this pardon, based on humanism principles, the applications lodged by the convicts aged over 65, who are in need of special care because of their age or health conditions due to the outbreak of COVID-19 infection, and by their family members, also their health state and behaviour during the term of imprisonment were taken into consideration. Consequently, the pardon was granted to 176 convicts, who were released from unserved part of their sentence.

The Ombudsman participated in the events on the implementation of this Order on Pardoning in peniteniary facilities #4 and #10 of the Ministry of Justice Penitentiary Service.

In the events, the Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva congratulated the convicts on the occasion of pardon granted to them. She noted that this became another step taken by the country President to brought joy to the pardoned persons, their family members, relatives. The Ombudsman added that the reforms in the country, as well as pardons are welcomed by the international community.

It was emphasized that the National Leader Heydar Aliyev always attached importance to humanistic policy, ensuring human rights in his extensive activity, and now the President Ilham Aliyev continues this policy. The activities of the First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva were also mentioned in this regard. 

Th Commissioner said that during the years of independence 66 orders on pardoning and 11 acts of amnesty were issued in Azerbaijan, as a result, thousands of persons were released and joined their families.

During the events, the Ombudsman S.Aliyeva advised each of the pardoned persons standing by their families, protecting their health, being loyal to the statehood and also following special quarantine rules due to coronavirus (COVID-19) infection taking into consideration their age. 

In conclusion, documents certifying their release were presented to the relevant convicts in those facilities. 
Persons who regained their freedom extended their thanks to the President Ilham Aliyev and the first vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva regarding the pardons, acts of amnesty and humanistic actions in human rights field. 

It should also be mentioned that with this pardon 10 convicts were released on the basis of the Ombudsman’s motions submitted in accordance with the Article 1.7 of the Constitutional Law on the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan.