Ombudsman carried out a visit to Baku Pre-Trial Detention Facility

Within the frames of the activity as the National Preventive Mechanism, the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva carried out a visit without a prior notice to Baku Pre-Trial Detention Facility under the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice.

The aim of the visit conducted based on the OPCAT requirements and the Constitutional Law on the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan was to investigate the conditions of detention and treatment in that facility and the status of ensuring the rights of detainees.

Before the monitoring of the facility, the Ombudsman also met with the family members, relatives of the detainees kept in that facility and listened to their complaints.

Within the framework of the visit, a number of accused persons, including Ilkin Ibrahim oglu Suleymanov, were received and heard in a confidential manner by the Ombudsman concerning the status of ensuring their rights related to detention conditions, nutrition, medical assistance, telephone calls, meeting and other rights, as well as the treatment issues in the facility.

The rights of detainees and requirements arising from relevant legislation were explained to them during the visit that was also attended by the members of the National Preventive Group, including a physician-member. The complaints of detainees were received, some detainees were provided with legal consultation concerning the issues raised about the investigation of their cases; several appeals were ensured on the spot.

In conclusion, the Ombudsman held legal awareness discussions with the administration of the facility, made relevant recommendations in accordance with the national and legal legislation on ensuring rights and freedoms of persons kept in the detention places, the custody conditions.