The situation with ensuring the rights of children with disabilities was monitored under the Ombudsman’s National Preventive Mechanism mandate

Under the National Preventive Mechanism mandate of the Ombudsman of Azerbaijan, unannounced visits to places where persons cannot leave on their own will are conducted. 

On 29 September, 2023, the Ombudsman’s National Preventive Group members carried out their next visit to Republic Special Boarding School No. 3 for children with disabilities under the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan. 

The objective of the monitoring visit was to conduct an on-site investigation of the situation regarding ensuring the rights of children, their detention conditions and treatment, the organization of medical and psychological services, the quality of nutrition, the processing of appropriate documentation, and the status of the implementation of previously given recommendations to eliminate the identified shortages. For this reason, the whole area of the school, including the dormitory, kitchen, and medical units, was monitored. A talk was held with the staff of the boarding facility.  

During the monitoring, it was found that a number of shortages identified were eliminated in accordance with the previously given recommendations. However, some problems still remain. Thus, it was revealed that children involved in special education, with the exception of elementary grades, have not been provided with appropriate student’s books, there is a huge need for improvement of psychological services in the facility, and there was overcrowding due to the settlement of 136 families on the school premises.   

At the end of the monitoring, a legal awareness talk was held with the management and responsible persons of the faciliity, recommendations were made to address the found shortages, and informative publications about the Ombudsman’s 916 Call Center and NPM activities were presented.

The outcomes of the monitoring visit will be addressed to the Ministry of Science and Education.