The Ministry of Justice held a video conference meeting with the representatives of the European Union and the embassies of about 15 countries in our country on "Measures to struggle with COVID-19 infection in the judiciary."
The purpose of the meeting, which was also attended by the representatives of civil society, was to inform the international community about the measures taken against the coronavirus pandemic, to discuss the issues of cooperation in this area.
At the event which was attended by the heads of the ministry's structural departments, the measures taken to combat the COVID-19 infection in the country under the leadership of the President Ilham Aliyev and the First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva were discussed and the works done for struggle with the pandemic in the judicial authorities were also stressed.
It was reported that, the ministry carried out continuous disinfection, preventive and other prophylactic works in the judiciary, especially in the penitentiaries, appeals and reception of citizens, justice services to population, as well as international legal assistance were organized in electronic form, the application of modern innovations to facilitate access was expanded.
Also, in the context of the global pandemic, the courts acted in accordance with the quarantine regime under the recommendations of the Supreme Court. At the same time, as a novelty, non-criminal trials were held online in the format of a video conference.
It was noted that, by the amendments to the legislation on this eve there have been created opportunities for the application of video conferencing in criminal cases through the "Electron Court" information system.
It was noted at the event that, 176 prisoners over the age of 65 who were at higher risk of contracting the virus were pardoned by the Pardon Order of the president, as well as the application of the institution of parole and transfer to a lighter regime was immediately intensified, the UN and the Council of Europe addressed the same recommendations to all countries.
It was stated that, the special commission of the ministry, established for the transparent application of this humanist institution, continued its activities during the pandemic, studied the cases of prisoners, talked to them in virtual meetings via video conference and immediately submitted materials to the court about the persons meeting the requirements of the legislation.
The courts considered these cases without delay, about 1,000 prisoners were released on parole during the pandemic, and 429 detainees were released under house arrest and other alternative measures of restraint.
It was also noted at the meeting that, the Ministry's General Medical Department in close cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Association of Administration of Medical Territorial Units pays special attention to the examination of prisoners in the penitentiaries and new detainees in the prisons according to the recommendations of the WHO. The health of the prisoners is controlled daily by monitoring the medical, medicinal and other supplies, and the activities of a special monitoring group, which includes representatives of civil society, established by the ministry for this purpose, were mentioned.
During this period, international organizations, including the European Union, as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have supported the measures for fight against COVID-19 in the penitentiaries within the framework of joint project. At the same time, it was noted that a protocol on the extension of the Agreement between the Government of Azerbaijan and the International Committee of the Red Cross, which allows unimpeded access to relevant detention facilities, including penitentiaries, was signed and approved by the President.
The representatives of civil society noted that the Ministry of Justice has taken very serious steps against the pandemic from the first day, closely participated in the monitoring and meetings of the Commission on the application of parole, and praised the works done in this area and the implementation of effective public control.
The EU representative praised the holding of the meeting in a tripartite format, stressed the importance of continuing cooperation and expressed readiness to support the measures taken by the ministry against the pandemic.
The sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest at the meeting.
