Representatives of the Commissioner for Human Rights in Chernihiv region visited the Kozeletsk geriatric boarding house

Employees of the regional office of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in Chernihiv region Iryna Zhmaka and Alla Lepekha, together with the executive director of the public organization “Chernihiv Public Committee for the Protection of Human Rights” Viktor Tarasov, visited the Kozeletsk geriatric boarding house.

With the assistance of partners – the Public Organization “Ukraine Without Torture”, humanitarian aid was delivered to the wards of the boarding house, in particular, clothing and hygiene items.

The boarding house is designed for 225 beds, with geriatric (for 195 beds) and psychoneurological (for 30 beds) departments. On the day of the visit, there were 219 people in the facility, of whom 118 were disabled, 13 were recognized as incapacitated, and one person was limitedly capable.

Currently, due to the increase in the incidence of acute respiratory viral infections among residents, quarantine has been introduced in the facility.

During communication with the management and staff of the geriatric boarding house, the living conditions of residents, their safety during the introduction of martial law, measures taken by the administration to protect persons with disabilities in case of emergencies, as well as the needs of the facility were discussed. In addition, the issue of compliance with quarantine requirements and the implementation of preventive measures in connection with a possible wave of acute respiratory disease COVID-19 was considered.

It was found that during the “air alarm” the residents are in their rooms, since the boarding house does not have a properly equipped, even the simplest shelter, including for those with limited mobility, that meets the specified requirements for protective structures.

In the conditions of the introduction of martial law, the supply of food to the institution continues; the boarding house employees are creating food reserves. In the event of a power outage and water supply, the management takes into account backup technologies.

An educational event was also held for the employees of the Kozeletsk Geriatric Boarding House. They were introduced to the activities of the Ombudsman’s Office, the scope of competence and the procedure for applying to the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for the protection of their constitutional rights.

The implementation of the national preventive mechanism (NPM), its regulatory framework, powers and main issues investigated by the NPM, as well as typical violations identified during monitoring visits to places of detention in Chernihiv region, are discussed separately.