Members of National Preventive Group conducted visit to the penitentiary facility No.5

As it’s known, members of the National Preventive Group against Torture (NPG) within the National Preventive Mechanism activity of the Ombudsman carry out visits to the places, which persons can’t leave on their own will, in order to investigate detention conditions, treatment issues, status of nutrition, organization of medical assistance.

The next visit by the NPG members was conducted to the penitentiary facility No.5 located in Salyan district, under the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice district without prior notice.

The visit was organized on the basis of the requirements of the OPCAT and the Constitutional Law on the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and aimed at monitoring detention conditions and treatment in the facility, investigating received applications, learning the state of ensuring the rights of convicts and the corresponding documentation.

Within the visit, also attended by the physician-member of the NPG, the conditions of detention, existing situation of nutrition, water supply, parcels, walking, meeting, phone calls, organization of medical assistance and documentation were investigated.

Numerous convicts were received confidentially by the NPG members with regard to investigate treatment issues, status of ensuring their rights and the relevant documentation. The raised issues and a number of appeals related to medical assistance were ensured on the spot.

All of the received convicts were legally consulted about the Ombudsman’s competencies regarding the issues they raised, and their applications were received.

At the end, legal awareness discussions were held with the administration of the facility and responsible staff members. Relevant recommendations were made with regard to improving the conditions of detention, medical service and documentation in compliance with the national and international legislation, including with the European Prison Rules.