FOREWORD
The ratification of the UNCAT and establishment of the NPM in
Azerbaijan as stated in the Optional Protocol served to support the
international standards for better promotion of human rights by the State.
The Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) was
also imposed serious responsibilities by designation of the Ombudsman to
function as a national preventive mechanism.
The fulfillment of duties driven from that decision, which was a
continuation of legal reforms and statehood process in the country turned to
one of the new key directions of the activity of the Commissioner.
Like every year, in 2015, the Commissioner also ensured the further
improvement and development of her activity as an NPM at higher level.
Mutual cooperation of the Commissioner with state authorities, civil
society organizations, mass media, international organizations and foreign
ombudspersons as an NPM, from the very beginning, ensured
Ombudsman’s successful work, building constructive dialogues and
organization of necessary support, useful discussions, training sessions and
exchange of experience.
A noteworthy fact is that the Azerbaijani Ombudsman Office has
grown distinctive reputation among the relevant specialized institutions, the
society and international organizations due to its contributions to the
improvement of the preventive work against torture in the country from the
legislative and institutional perspectives.
The current report, which covers the activity of the Azerbaijani NPM in
2015, compiles the work undertaken in the capacity of NPM, its preventive
visits and their outcomes, recommendations as well as suggestions and their
implementation status.
We do hope the recommendations and suggestions given in this report
will give its contributions to the improvement of various directions in the
relevant activity.
We thank you for the suggestions to be sent to the report in beforehand.
Professor Elmira SULEYMANOVA
Commissioner for Human Rights
(Ombudsman)
of the Republic of Azerbaijan
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