The Forensic Psychiatric Center was monitored

By the instruction of Sabina Aliyeva, the Human Rights Commissioner, within the framework of activities of the Working Group on Mental Health and Human Rights, a monitoring was conducted in the Forensic Psychiatric Center of the Ministry of Health. 

The purpose of the monitoring organized in compliance with the requirement of the Constitutional Law on the Ombudsman, the Law on Psychiatric Assistance of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Law on Forensic Activities of the Republic of Azerbaijan was to investigate conditions of detention and treatment standards, as well as become familiar with the activities of the institution. 

The issues of ensuring rights established by the requirements of law for those found not guilty of criminal penalties, those who are in police custody, those detained in temporary detention centers, and persons accused of criminal offenses held in pre-trial detention centers in the Center have been studied in the course of engaging in psychiatric examination.

During the monitoring, which was attended by a physician member of the Working Group, the outpatient and inpatient departments, administrative building, commission, convoy, and on-duty police rooms of the Center were inspected.

In the course of the monitoring, confidential conversations were held with detainees in cell-type wards, and the status of relevant rights regarding nutrition, walking, and receiving parcels was  investigated.

At the end, legal educational publications produced by the Ombudsman Office were presented to the Head of the Center, the relevant requirements specified in the national legislation and international documents were highlighted, and recommendations were made on improving the conditions of detention and documentation. 

The relevant entity has been addressed in connection with the elimination of any defects detected during monitoring.