Ombudsman’s National Preventive Group continued its monitoring visits to the institutions of the Penitentiary Service

Under the instructions of Sabina Aliyeva, the Human Rights Commissioner of Azerbaijan, the members of the Ombudsman’s National Preventive Group (NPG) conducted their next monitoring visits to the Penitentiary Service's Umbaki Penitentiary Complex and Treatment Facility without prior notice.

The purpose of the visits organized under the OPCAT and the Constitutional Law on the Ombudsman was to investigate the detention conditions and treatment in these facilities, as well as to review appeals received.

During the visits, which also included a medical member of the NPG, a number of detainees held in these facilities, including those serving life sentences, were interviewed based on random selection and their requests. Their requests were heard, the Ombudsman’s powers were explained to them, and applications of some were taken.

During the confidential interview conducted by the NPG members at the Penitentiary Service's Treatment Facility, Fazil Gasımov reported that he had refused food in relation to his criminal case. His requests were accepted on the spot, and the management of the treatment facility was given relevant recommendations to keep his health condition under supervision.

It should be noted that F. Gasimov has previously been interviewed by NPG members at the facility where he was detained, and relevant appeals concerning the protection of his rights were sent to law enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Justice's Medical Main Department.

At the conclusion of the monitoring visits, legal awareness talks were held with the management and responsible staff of both institutions based on national and international legislation. Relevant recommendations were provided for improving the detention conditions.