The Ombudsman’s National Preventive Group Conducted Visits to State Migration Service Facilities

On the instructions of Sabina Aliyeva, the Ombudsperson of Azerbaijan, members of the Ombudsman’s National Preventive Group (NPG) conducted unannounced monitoring visits to the Baku and Yevlakh Temporary Accommodation Centers under the State Migration Service on the eve of 18 December – International Migrants Day.

The purpose of the visits, carried out in accordance with the OPCAT and the Constitutional Law on the Ombudsman, was to assess the conditions and treatment provided for foreign nationals at the facilities, the state of documentation, and the implementation status of recommendations issued during previous visits.

During the monitoring visit to the Baku Temporary Accommodation Center, the NPG members inspected all facilities of the area, including buildings, the medical unit, the cafeteria, and other premises, and held confidential meetings with several migrants accommodated at the center.  It was observed that multiple issues identified during earlier inspections had been eliminated; medical and psychological services were in place, and measures had been taken to further enhance healthcare provision and psychosocial support.

Likewise, in the course of the monitoring of the Yevlakh Temporary Accommodation Center, it was found that previous recommendations had been taken into account. A vacant doctor’s position had been filled, the psychologist’s office was equipped with visual and educational materials, a non-operational CCTV in a transport vehicle was fixed, and regular sanitary cleaning of the living quarters was ensured.

At the conclusion of the visits, awareness-raising discussions were held with the management and staff of the relevant institutions on ensuring more effective protection of migrants’ rights in line with national and international legislation, and appropriate recommendations were provided to improve documentation procedures and detention conditions.