PRESS RELEASE BY THE PRESS SERVICE OF THE MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS
27.11.2013November 27 - Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Colonel General Ramil Usubov received Rapporteur of the PACE's Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights Mailis Reps.
The Minister informed the guest about functions and activities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He brought to the attention of the Rapporteur that the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe have established close ties over the last years. Mr Usubov noted that efforts and measures to ensure human rights and freedoms assume great importance within the scope of these relations. Our country had adopted a number of regulations and new laws based on democratic values which established the legal basis for the police activities and according to which protection of the rights and freedoms of a man and citizen was brought to the forefront since before the country's membership in the Council of Europe in the second half of the 90s of the last century.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs prepared the Action Plan and made it available for implementation for the purpose of complete fulfilment of tasks arising from the Decree of President Ilham Aliyev on the approval of the National Action Plan on Protection of Human Rights in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Focused and systematic efforts are made to improve professionalism and world outlook of staff and use of international experience. 1500 employees of the Ministry took part in training workshops on human rights conducted over the last four years in our country and foreign countries.
It was noted that 102 Service was created for urgent operational measures against illegal acts against the citizens. The automatic city management system for the purpose of flexible response to emergencies, "hotline", e-mail also play a significant role in the effective organization of public relations, control and management of incoming applications.
The Minister noted that the project Police and Public Support has been implemented since January 2009 on the initiative of and with the support of OSCE Baku Office for the purpose of effective organization of the work on expansion of public relations, maintenance of reliable relations Police/Community and Police/Citizen, use of voluntary help of citizens in ensuring public order.
The Minister also brought to the attention of the guest that appeals concerning infringement of their rights and freedoms by police officers are investigated by the relevant directorate of the Ministry in an efficient and impartial manner and appropriate measures are taken upon reporting on results of such investigation.
For the last five years 1482 officers were punished for abusive treatment and various offences in a word for infringement of civil rights, 114 of them were dismissed from service in IAB, 109 were discharged from the post and 20 were brought to trial. As a result of such focused efforts number of appeals against actions of police officers reduced by 26%, number of appeals concerning infringement of their rights and freedoms by police officers reduced by 45% and number of appeals received by the Ombudsman's Office reduced twofold.
Appropriate measures are taken for reconstruction of temporary detention facilities of police bodies in accordance with modern standards. New temporary detention facilities were built in 32 city/regional police departments of the republic and 51 temporary detention facilities were renovated for the period from 2000 up to this date.
The Minister mentioned the significant and important role of mass media in public life and noted that his agency carries out considerable work for improvement of mutual relations between the public and police in ensuring public security, extension of cooperation with representatives of mass media and improvement of public awareness.
Ms Mailis Reps expressed her gratitude for hearty reception, comprehensive information and the work done and reminded that public support is an important factor in the field of human rights and freedoms protection for police agencies of any country.
The parties also discussed a number of other issues during the meeting. The Minister of Internal Affairs gave detailed answers to all questions asked by the Rapporteur.
The Minister informed the guest about functions and activities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He brought to the attention of the Rapporteur that the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe have established close ties over the last years. Mr Usubov noted that efforts and measures to ensure human rights and freedoms assume great importance within the scope of these relations. Our country had adopted a number of regulations and new laws based on democratic values which established the legal basis for the police activities and according to which protection of the rights and freedoms of a man and citizen was brought to the forefront since before the country's membership in the Council of Europe in the second half of the 90s of the last century.The Ministry of Internal Affairs prepared the Action Plan and made it available for implementation for the purpose of complete fulfilment of tasks arising from the Decree of President Ilham Aliyev on the approval of the National Action Plan on Protection of Human Rights in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Focused and systematic efforts are made to improve professionalism and world outlook of staff and use of international experience. 1500 employees of the Ministry took part in training workshops on human rights conducted over the last four years in our country and foreign countries.
It was noted that 102 Service was created for urgent operational measures against illegal acts against the citizens. The automatic city management system for the purpose of flexible response to emergencies, "hotline", e-mail also play a significant role in the effective organization of public relations, control and management of incoming applications.
The Minister noted that the project Police and Public Support has been implemented since January 2009 on the initiative of and with the support of OSCE Baku Office for the purpose of effective organization of the work on expansion of public relations, maintenance of reliable relations Police/Community and Police/Citizen, use of voluntary help of citizens in ensuring public order.
The Minister also brought to the attention of the guest that appeals concerning infringement of their rights and freedoms by police officers are investigated by the relevant directorate of the Ministry in an efficient and impartial manner and appropriate measures are taken upon reporting on results of such investigation.
For the last five years 1482 officers were punished for abusive treatment and various offences in a word for infringement of civil rights, 114 of them were dismissed from service in IAB, 109 were discharged from the post and 20 were brought to trial. As a result of such focused efforts number of appeals against actions of police officers reduced by 26%, number of appeals concerning infringement of their rights and freedoms by police officers reduced by 45% and number of appeals received by the Ombudsman's Office reduced twofold.
Appropriate measures are taken for reconstruction of temporary detention facilities of police bodies in accordance with modern standards. New temporary detention facilities were built in 32 city/regional police departments of the republic and 51 temporary detention facilities were renovated for the period from 2000 up to this date.
The Minister mentioned the significant and important role of mass media in public life and noted that his agency carries out considerable work for improvement of mutual relations between the public and police in ensuring public security, extension of cooperation with representatives of mass media and improvement of public awareness.
Ms Mailis Reps expressed her gratitude for hearty reception, comprehensive information and the work done and reminded that public support is an important factor in the field of human rights and freedoms protection for police agencies of any country.
The parties also discussed a number of other issues during the meeting. The Minister of Internal Affairs gave detailed answers to all questions asked by the Rapporteur.
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