EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER INSPECTS PRISONS IN WESTERN AZERBAIJAN
Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
7 Sep 07
[Presenter] Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Thomas
Hammarberg has visited Ganca. As part of the visit, the European
guest held a meeting at the city executive office, visited the Nizami
district court and familiarized himself with conditions in a prison.
[Correspondent over video of Hammarberg and other officials
accompanying him] Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Thomas
Hammarberg was displeased [as heard] with conditions of inmates in
the Ganca city prison.
He described frequent checkups of inmates by doctors as positive.
[Hammarberg speaking to journalists in English with Azeri voice-over]
I familiarized myself with inmates’ conditions in this prison. The
condition of prisoners is satisfactory in this prison. Special anti-TB
measures are being taken here. Every new prisoner coming here is
immediately checked by doctors to find out if he has TB or not.
[Correspondent] Hammarberg stressed progress in judicial bodies. He
praised the establishment of the Court of Appeal in Ganca as a positive
step. He touched on the rise in judges’ monthly salaries and said
that this would prevent some illegal cases. Hammarberg pledged that
during his visit to Armenia this October, he will familiarize himself
with the conditions of Azerbaijanis held in Armenia.
[Hammarberg] I will go to Armenia in October. I can assure you that
I will touch on all human rights issues there.
[Correspondent] Hammarberg also visited Barda yesterday.
Irada Mammadova, Madina Niknacat and Rufat Bayramov, "Son Xabar".
[At 1022 gmt on 7 September, APA news agency quoted Hammarberg as
saying that Azerbaijan’s cooperation with the Council of Europe led
to progress in the human rights sphere in Azerbaijan. He added that
prisons still had problems with heating and ventilation. At 1127 gmt
today, Turan news agency quoted Hammarberg as saying that Azerbaijani
journalists should not be held criminally liable for defamation.]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
