BAKU
(17 September 2014) – 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 8 to 17 September, had been
compromised to such an extent that it had to be suspended.

The delegation members halted their work on 14 September 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 16 September.

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).

Background: The Optional Protocol on the Prevention of Torture has to
date been ratified by 73 countries. At the end of a country mission,
the SPT communicates its recommendations and observations to the State
by means of a confidential report, and if necessary to National
Preventive Mechanisms. States parties are encouraged to request that the
SPT makes these reports public.

Find out more about the Optional Protocol:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/OPCAT.aspx