Detainees are still subjected to torture in Azerbaijan’s pre-trial prisons and police stations – often with fatal ends, Elchin Behbutov, Head of the Committee against Torture, told the Echo newspaper.

“I have repeatedly reported cases of torture in police stations and other pre-trial detention institutions, and we have to struggle against it. Azerbaijan acceded to the UN Convention against Torture as far back as 1996. In 2002, our country acceded to a similar convention of the Council of Europe. Therefore, Azerbaijan pledged not to practice torture of prisoners and detainees. If any facts are revealed, those responsible are to be punished with full rigor of the law of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Milli Majlis ratified the convention. Moreover, Articles 31 and 46 of the Constitution of Azerbaijan prohibit even maltreatment of prisoners, to say nothing of torture. Unfortunately, despite the two conventions and relevant articles of the Constitution, we still register cases of torture,” Behbutov said.

He also reported that he is likely to take part in a sitting of the UN committee against torture this November. “This November the UN committee against torture is to examine the cases of torture in Azerbaijan. I too may take part in the sitting.”