National Preventive Group of the Ombudsman conducted monitoring visits to child institutions during the Child Rights Month

By the instructions of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of Azerbaijan Ms. Sabina Aliyeva, the National Preventive Group conducted unnoticed monitoring visits to children’s homes No. 2 and No.3 during the Child Rights Month-long Campaign, running from 20 October to 20 November.   

The purpose of the visits was to check the situation of ensuring the rights of children of different age groups, elimination of all shortages that existed at the time of former visits, and to follow up on the implementation status of the previously given recommendations.  

At the time of the visit, all areas of the facility were monitored, and the existed situation in relation to social service and documentation was checked. The NPM team held private talks with the management of the facility, staff and resident children in order to investigate the treatment standards.    

NPM team gave detailed information about child rights protection mechanisms as an integral part of human rights, as well as application procedures to Ombudsman and round clock operating 916 Call Center.

In the course of the monitoring, it was found that the shortcomings that existed in the documentation at both child care institutions were mainly eradicated, and there were positive developments in the implementation of previous recommendations and in the provision of child rights.

Furthermore, during the monitoring, it was made clear that material and technical conditions created for pre-school-aged children in the child facility No. 2 were improved in compliance with their age and development, the facility was supplied with pre-school education training materials. Also, the shortcomings in medical care were eliminated, and that children were registered to music school and sports circles in order to ensure their access to effective recreation time.  

In the monitoring carried out in child facility No. 3, it was observed that the repair works have already started, cameras were fixed to computers that were used by children and sanitary-hygienic problems were eliminated.

In the end, the NPM team provided appropriate recommendations to the management of the facility and responsible staff in accordance with national and international legislation for the further improvement of living conditions, healthcare service, and relevant documentation.