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UN HUMAN RIGHTS BODY STOPS AZERBAIJAN VISIT CITING OFFICIAL OBSTRUCTION
Wednesday, September 17th, 2014
http://asbarez.com/127039/un-human-rights-body-stops-azerbaijan-visit-citing-official-obstruction/
The flag of the United Nations
BAKU--The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT)
has decided to suspend its visit to Azerbaijan due to obstructions it
encountered in carrying out its mandate under the Optional Protocol to
the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT), to which Azerbaijan is a party.
The delegation was prevented from visiting several places where people
are detained and was barred from completing its work at other sites,
despite repeated attempts to do so and assurances of unrestricted
access to all places of deprivation of liberty by Azerbaijani
authorities.
As a result of these serious breaches of Azerbaijan's obligations under
the Optional Protocol, the delegation concluded that the integrity of
its visit, scheduled to run from Sept. 8 to 17, had been compromised
to such an extent that it had to be suspended.
The delegation members halted their work on Sept. 14, but some
members remained in Azerbaijan to seek further engagement with the
Azerbaijani authorities on the basis of the information currently at
their disposal. The head of the delegation, Aisha Shujune Muhammad,
met the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs on Sept. 16.
The SPT expects Azerbaijan to abide by its international obligations
under the Optional Protocol and enter into a constructive dialogue
with the SPT with the view to preventing torture and ill-treatment.
The SPT has a mandate under the OPCAT to conduct on-site visits and
make recommendations to the authorities of State Parties to establish
effective safeguards against the risk of torture and ill-treatment
in places of deprivation of liberty.
The SPT Delegation to the Republic of Azerbaijan comprises the
following members: Ms. Aisha Shujune Muhammad (Head of Delegation),
Mr. Milos Jankovic, Ms. Margarete Suzuko Osterfeld, Mr. Miguel
Sarre-Iguiniz, and Mr. Victor Zaharia (Focal Point for Reprisals).
Wednesday, September 17th, 2014
http://asbarez.com/127039/un-human-rights-body-stops-azerbaijan-visit-citing-official-obstruction/
The flag of the United Nations
BAKU--The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT)
has decided to suspend its visit to Azerbaijan due to obstructions it
encountered in carrying out its mandate under the Optional Protocol to
the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT), to which Azerbaijan is a party.
The delegation was prevented from visiting several places where people
are detained and was barred from completing its work at other sites,
despite repeated attempts to do so and assurances of unrestricted
access to all places of deprivation of liberty by Azerbaijani
authorities.
As a result of these serious breaches of Azerbaijan's obligations under
the Optional Protocol, the delegation concluded that the integrity of
its visit, scheduled to run from Sept. 8 to 17, had been compromised
to such an extent that it had to be suspended.
The delegation members halted their work on Sept. 14, but some
members remained in Azerbaijan to seek further engagement with the
Azerbaijani authorities on the basis of the information currently at
their disposal. The head of the delegation, Aisha Shujune Muhammad,
met the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs on Sept. 16.
The SPT expects Azerbaijan to abide by its international obligations
under the Optional Protocol and enter into a constructive dialogue
with the SPT with the view to preventing torture and ill-treatment.
The SPT has a mandate under the OPCAT to conduct on-site visits and
make recommendations to the authorities of State Parties to establish
effective safeguards against the risk of torture and ill-treatment
in places of deprivation of liberty.
The SPT Delegation to the Republic of Azerbaijan comprises the
following members: Ms. Aisha Shujune Muhammad (Head of Delegation),
Mr. Milos Jankovic, Ms. Margarete Suzuko Osterfeld, Mr. Miguel
Sarre-Iguiniz, and Mr. Victor Zaharia (Focal Point for Reprisals).