Visits to child facilities by the National Preventive Group of the Ombudsman are being continued during the Child Rights Month

The Ombudsman's National Preventive Group (NPG) members made unannounced visits to orphanages No. 1 and 2.

The purpose of these preventive visits was to ensure that the rights of children of different age groups were well-provided, to eliminate the deficiencies identified during the previous visits, and to study the implementation status of the previously given recommendations, including legal awareness measures within the framework of the "Child Rights Month" announced by the Ombudsman, covering the dates of October 20 - November 20.

During the visits, the entire area of the noted above child facilities was inspected, and the current situation and documentation related to the organization of social services were examined. Individual interviews were conducted with the management of the facility, employees, and resident children to investigate treatment issues.

It was observed that overcrowding was a problem in both institutions, however, deficiencies related to medical care have been eliminated in orphanage No. 2.

Furthermore, in both institutions, training was held with the participation of children, psychologists, and educators. The staff members of the Child Rights Protection Unit at the Ombudsman Office also took part in the training to provide them with information about the existing normative legislation on child rights and legal protection mechanisms. In addition, legal awareness about discrimination and anti-discrimination methods, methods for how to protect children from exploitation, abuse, neglect and violence, early marriage, child labor, and harmful effects.

The training was held in the form of a discussion with the active participation of children, their opinions were learned, and their questions were answered.

In the end, the management and employees in charge were given recommendations on how to improve conditions of detention, medical care, and documentation in the child facilities in accordance with national legislation and international documents.