OSCE promotes respect for rights for detainees in Azerbaijan

The OSCE Office in Baku completed a two-day training course for police officers on the treatment of suspects and accused in custody. The event took place in Lankaran city, in the south of Azerbaijan, on 10 and 11 July 2012. The purpose of this training activity was to improve detention conditions and compliance with the rights of suspects and accused by enhancing the professional skills of police officers working at detention facilities in the region.

An international expert from Northern Ireland and local experts from the Interior Ministry and Ombudsman Office conducted the training sessions. They focused on domestic legislation and international standards concerning the treatment of detainees. Participants learned about  record-keeping, the length of pre-trial detention and the prevention of ill-treatment, including the role of the Ombudsman Office as the National Preventive Mechanism.

As part of its detention monitoring programme, the OSCE Office in Baku supports training activities for detention personnel in the regions across the country.