A board meeting of the Ministry was held in the form of a video conference on May 1 under the presiding of the Minister of Justice Fikrat Mammadov. The meeting discussed the implementation of the tasks of the judiciary arising from the instructions given at the socio-economic meeting and other events of state importance on the protection of human life and health in the context of the global pandemic, as well as the elimination of negative effects on economic development.
The Minister stressed the comprehensive and sustainable development of the country under the leadership of the President Ilham Aliyev. He noted that taking into account the negative impact of the global pandemic COVID-19 on our country, which has caused great damage to the world economy, important steps have been taken to prevent its serious socio-economic consequences and ensure sustainable development. Expressing that Azerbaijan is a social state and Azerbaijani citizen is at the center of the policy, they expressed confidence that our people will soon get rid of the coronavirus thanks to the decisive measures taken by the political will of the President.
It was noted that the Operational Headquarters under the Cabinet of Ministers, established on the instructions of the President, carried out the necessary preventive measures against the spread of coronavirus infection, including the application of social isolation rules and a special quarantine regime. Demonstrating social solidarity in the fight against coronavirus and the establishment of the Coronavirus Support Fund and donations of more than 113 million manats are additional support to the measures taken in this direction. At the same time, the adoption of a comprehensive package of socio-economic support worth more than 3 billion manats serves to reduce the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and protect the social welfare of the population.
A board meeting stressed the instructions of the President on making reforms in all areas to achieve sustainable economic development, structural and personnel reforms to improve governance, continuing the policy of rejuvenation, further serious fight against negative developments, as well as saving public funds, provision of transparency in this field, ensuring of great support for economic development by the banking sector, strict adherence to the quarantine regime.
It was noted that the Ministry of Justice has taken organized measures to prevent the coronavirus, including continuous disinfection, prevention and other preventive works were made in the judiciary and courts, appeals and reception of citizens, justice services provided to the population are organized electronically.
To this end, the use of modern innovations has been expanded to facilitate citizens' access to the judiciary in the event of a pandemic, including there was made an opportunity to make court and other payments online and through terminals, and to remove automatically restrictions on the right to leave the country. Also, the use of parental rights with the help of modern ICTs - the execution of court decisions on communication with the child is provided through video communication.
In addition, a mobile service for electronic video confirmation of power of attorney to dispose of vehicles has been launched. Also, within the framework of the "Electronic Court" information system, a video conference was organized through a special program. These days, extensive presentations have been made to the public about these innovations.
The ministry executed an order on pardon of 176 prisoners over the age of 65 who are at higher risk of contracting the virus, signed by the President on April 6 as a manifestation of the President's humanist policy.
In addition, the health, medical, medicinal and other supplies of prisoners were monitored on a daily basis, and the institution of parole and transfer to a more lenient institution was intensified.
At the same time, justice workers and judges joined the President's initiative and donated to the Support Fund for Struggle against Coronavirus, provided food assistance to the elderly and lonely citizens in need of special care during the quarantine period, as well as unemployed persons were issued grants.
The Minister stressed the need for timely and accurate implementation of the tasks arising from the President's instructions at the socio-economic meeting and other events of state importance, as well as strengthening medical and preventive measures against the global pandemic, adherence to the quarantine regime.
In addition, in order to modernize the administration of justice, he gave instructions to improve the structure and more efficient use of staff, pay special
attention to the professionalism of staff and adhere to the rules of ethical conduct, revise the current budget of the judiciary and courts and avoid unnecessary costs.
Tasks arising from the "National Action Plan for 2020-2022 on the promotion of open government" approved by the Presidential Decree dated February 27, 2020 and the Order of the Cabinet of Ministers dated 11.04.2020 on the implementation of this important document were discussed, specific instructions were given to organize the implementation of the National Action Plan in the judiciary.
It was noted that, the country pays special attention to the promotion of open government and the fight against corruption under the leadership of the President, and large-scale and systematic measures are being implemented on ensuring transparency in public administration, building a healthy civil servant relationship, promoting public participation, developing civil society, applying new technologies and e-services. In the past, the judiciary has done a lot of works to implement the national action plans adopted in this area.
It was noted at the meeting that the new action plan to promote open government, adopted to ensure the sustainability of measures taken in this area, is of exceptional importance. Measures related to the implementation of this important document by the judiciary, including the assessment of corruption risks and their prevention, have been identified, special plans have been developed and approved by the board. It was noted that, the tasks arising from these plans, including increasing the capacity of e-justice services and information systems, expansion of public participation and international anti-corruption cooperation, organization of trainings on anti-corruption and ethical conduct, and other important measures were carried out timely and accurately.
The board highlighted a set of measures on implementation of the Presidential Decree "On Deepening Reforms in the Judicial-Legal System " dated April 3, 2019, which is an important "road map" for the development of justice and the judiciary, including the works were noted on improving judicial expertise, which plays an important role in ensuring justice judgment.
It was noted that the management of the Forensic Examination Center has been strengthened, the forthcoming tasks to bring the activities in this field in line with modern requirements were brought into notice, instructions were given on the elimination of existing shortcomings and deficiencies, including on qualitative and
timely realization of examinations, appliance of the latest scientific and technical achievements and modern research methods, private forensic examination institute, the improvement of the structure of the Center and the effective use of staff, the effective organization of the work of the Scientific Council, increasing transparency in order to increase public confidence.
At the same time, they discussed the works done to increase the efficiency of enforcement of court decisions, strengthen leadership and control in this area, to build analytical work in accordance with modern requirements, as well as to improve the quality of analysis, and specific measures were identified.
In addition, the meeting considered and approved projects on improvement of some standard legal acts regulating the justice and judicial activity. Also, a number of non-profit legal entities have been registered.
