Representatives of the Ombudsman check the observance of human rights in the bodies and special institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine in the Chernihiv region

On May 18-19, 2015, employees of the Secretariat of the Commissioner for Human Rights Viktor Chuprov and Alla Lepekha, together with public representatives Viktor Tarasov and Tukhan Ediyev, conducted a monitoring visit to the Ripkynsky District Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine in Chernihiv region, the temporary detention center of the specified district department, as well as the special ward of the municipal institution of the Ripkynsky Central District Hospital.

During the visit, the main attention was paid to taking measures to prevent torture and other types of ill-treatment. The Secretariat employees spoke confidentially with the persons who were held in the temporary detention center at the time of the visit, as well as in the offices of the Ripkynsky Regional Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine in the Chernihiv region. No complaints were received about the use of illegal methods of conducting an inquiry, the implementation of unauthorized actions (night interrogations, beatings).

At the same time, a number of violations were revealed during the inspection, in particular, the conditions of detention in the room for detainees and those brought to the duty unit (KZD) and the cells of the temporary detention center of the Ripkynsky Regional Department of Internal Affairs do not meet national and international standards. Two cells of the temporary detention center and the room for detainees and those brought to the duty unit cannot be used for the detention of detainees at all, since their area is less than 7 sq. m., and the distance between the walls of the cells is less than 2 m. In addition, the KZD has no natural lighting and a stationary sanitary facility at all. This room is equipped with a dry toilet for natural needs.

In addition, the inspected isolator does not have a room for visits, and therefore, the persons held there are not allowed to visit. Bed linen needs to be updated, there are not enough detergents, towels, and personal hygiene products.

The registration of persons’ stay in the internal affairs body and the registration of notifications to the Center for Secondary Legal Aid about the facts of detention are improperly carried out. First-aid kits are not replenished, some medicines have expired. The reception room for citizens is locked, and citizens must obtain permission from the police officer on duty to visit it.

A full list of deficiencies and violations will be sent to the Ripkynsky Regional Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine in Chernihiv region, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine for appropriate response.