National Preventive Group continues visits

Within the  National Preventive Mechanism activity of the Ombudsman, National Preventive Group (NPG) conducts visits to the places which persons can’t leave on their own will, and detention conditions, treatment issues, nutrition status, organizing medical assistance in those facilities are investigated.

The next visit by the NPG members was carried out in the penitentiary facility No.2 under the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice without prior notice.

The visit was organized on the basis of the requirements of the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the Constitutional Law on the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan and aimed at investigating the detention conditions and treatment, as well as the addressed appeals; learning the status of ensuring the rights of convicts and conducting adequate documentation.

Within the visit attended also by the psychian member of the NPG, penalty isolator, medical-sanitary unit, dormitory corps and other sections of the facility were monitered regarding detention conditions, as well as existing situation with organizing medical assistance, nutrition, supply of hot and cold drinking water, parcels, walking, meeting and documentation was investigated, some shortcomings were identified with regard to detention conditions.

 There is a need for organizing psychological and social services, expanding and promoting the activity on convicted persons’ rehabilitation through socially useful labor.

In order to investigate the treatment issues, the convicts in that facility were received in a confidential manner by the NPG members, state of ensuring their rights, documentation on raised issues were examined, as well as several appeals of them regarding correspondence and medical assistance were provided on the spot.

Each of the convicts was given legal advice with respect to the issues put forward within the private meeting, their applications were accepted.

Legal-awareness discussion was held with administration of the facility and staff members; relevant recommendations were given on elimination of shortcomings regarding detention conditions, medical service and documentation in compliance with national and international legislation, including the European Prison Rules.

Relevant bodies will be addresed on the outcome of the visit and ensuring the appeals of convicts.