Visit to the Penitentiary Institution for Juveniles within the Ombudsman’s National Preventive Mechanism

According to the instruction of the Ombudsman of Azerbaijan, a visit was conducted to the Penitentiary Institution (Complex) for Juveniles under the Penitentiary Service within the mandate of the  National Preventive Mechanism.

During the visit, the issues of daily routine life, the conditions created for exercising their rights, organization of their education and leisure time, as well as their provision of their needs and requests, along with the assesment of the detention conditions of juvenile convicts were focused on.  

Confidential meetings were held with arrested and imprisoned juvenile offenders within the premises of  the institution. They were interviewed regarding their conditions of detention and treatment; individual requests were heard. They were legally consulted with regard to the issues raised.

Furthermore, as the visit coincided with the “Peace Month” initiated by the Ombudsman, an awareness-raising meeting on legal matters was held with the juveniles at the facility. Discussions focused on human rights and a culture of peace, mutual respect, the non-violent resolution of conflicts, and responsible behaviour in society.

At the end of the visit, a meeting was held with the administration of the institution, and relevant recommendations were made concerning the more effective protection of the rights of minor offenders.