Monitoring visits were carried out to institutions in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic within the framework of the Ombudsman's National Preventive Mechanism

By instructions of the Ombudsman of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva, members of the National Preventive Group (NPG) visited institutions in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic that individuals were not able to leave of their own free will.

Ombudsman's NPG Members conducted monitoring at a number of institutions in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, including a pre-trial detention center, a mixed-type prison, a temporary detention center, a mental health clinic, and a detention center for irregular migrants.

The purpose of the visits, organized in compliance with the OPCAT and the Constitutional Law on the Ombudsman of  Azerbaijan, was to investigate the conditions of detention and treatment in these institutions.

During the visits, the residential buildings, dormitories, medical and sanitary sections, meeting place, canteens, kitchens and other facilities of the relevant institutions were inspected; The situation regarding treatment and detention conditions, organization of medical services, food and nutrition, hot and cold water supply, walks, meetings and phone conversations was investigated, and documentation was checked.

A number of detainees in the aforementioned institutions were accepted by the members of the NPG based on their applications or random selection. The requests of the requested persons were listened to, and their rights and the powers of the Ombudsman were explained to them.

At the end, talks with the management of those facilities were held, the shortages were brought to their attention, and appropriate recommendations were given regarding the detention conditions and improvement of the documentation. 

Appeals will be made to the ministries and services to which those institutions are subordinate regarding the results of the visits.