October 30 – the Minister of Internal Affairs Colonel General Ramil Usubov received the delegation headed by Giorgi Tugushi, a member of the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT).

Having welcomed the guest, the Minister pointed out the establishment of close business relations between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Council of Europe and great importance of the measures taken to protect human rights and freedoms within the scope of this cooperation.
The Minister mentioned the Special Action Plans developed for the purpose of fulfillment of obligations arising from the statutory and regulatory enactments signed by President of the Republic of Azebaijan Ilham Aliyev in the field of human rights protection and emphasized that consistent work is carried out to broaden the worldview of law enforcement officers and adopt best international practices, having mentioned that about 300 officers took part in seminars and training courses conducted in our country and abroad in the field of human rights in 9 months of this year alone.

It was also noted that the staff takes all necessary steps to provide prompt and impartial handling of public appeals concerning violation of human and civil rights and freedoms. In the period from year to date, 341 associates were punished for facts of violation of human and civil rights, 20 of them were dismissed, 38 associates were removed from their posts and other disciplinary actions were applied to 283 associates.
It was also pointed out that from 2001 up to date, in the result of measures taken for appropriate reconstruction of temporary detention facilities in accordance with up-to-date standards 50 of 72 temporary detention facilities were reconstructed, another 22 were overhauled. All necessary conditions were created in these facilities fitted out with up-to-date information technology for 85 free and unimpeded monitoring visits of representatives of international organizations including the Ombudsman and observers from non-governmental organizations. No facts of violation of human rights and freedoms were detected during 1304 monitoring visits made in recent 4 years and 9 months to 72 temporary detention facilities of the Ministry.
The Minister also expressed his regret with some attempts to confuse public opinion in this sphere made by particular persons seeking undermining of the police authority in the society including certain unsubstantiated and impartial accusations addressed to the Council of Europe.

Having expressed his gratitude for hearty reception and detailed information, Mr. Giorgi Tugushi noted that a part of shortcomings detected during the monitoring conducted by his agency at different times were eliminated, pointed out the consistent principal stance of the Ministry on cases of violation of human and civil rights and freedoms, mentioned certain shortcomings that still exist in detention of persons in the territorial police departments, and voiced a hope for early removal of such shortcomings in the result of mutual fruitful cooperation.
The parties also discussed other matters of concern in the friendly and frank atmosphere of the meeting.