The Ombudsman’s National Preventive Group conducted monitoring visits to institutions under the State Migration Service

Based on the instructions given by the Ombudsman, Sabina Aliyeva, the National Preventive Group (NPG) conducted unannounced monitoring visits to the Baku Immigration Detention Center, as well as the Yevlakh District Temporary Accommodation Center under the State Migration Service.

The purpose of the visits, organized in line with the OPCAT, as well as the Constitutional Law on Ombudsman of the Republic of Azerbaijan, was to examine the conditions created for and treatment of foreigners, and to investigate incoming applications, to check the processing of documentation, and also, to follow up on the situation of elimination of defects and shortages found in the institutions by the NPG. 

During the visit to the Baku Immigration Detention Center, the Ombudsman’s representatives investigated the residential buildings, medical centers, canteen, and other facilities, and monitored the current situation. The NPG members had confidential meetings with some group of detained migrants. The complaints about detention conditions and treatment of some people received were accepted for investigation. It was said that there are problems in accessibility to medical services and supplying of medicaments. During the visit, it was found that the related services were not rendered because there is no relevant psychologist staff unit.

Furthermore, the review found that a number of shortages found in the Yevlakh District Temporary Accommodation Center during their previous visits have been addressed.

In addition, during the monitoring visit, it was also determined that there was a lack of a medical doctor in the facility in violation of the requirements of the Internal Disciplinary Rules, as well as there was a need in supply of visual-didactic materials of the psychologist cabinet to organize psychological services. 

At the end of the visits, based on the national and international legal frameworks, the legal-awareness talks were held with the management of both institutions, in which the latter was recommended on how to improve treatment standards and detention conditions.

The State Migration Service will be appealed regarding the findings.