AZERBAIJAN
On 12 September, the ICRC assisted in the repatriation of two Azerbaijani
nationals, a military serviceman and a civilian, from Armenia to Azerbaijan.
Before their hand-over, both persons confirmed to the International Committee
of the Red Cross (ICRC) their willingness to be repatriated to the Republic
of Azerbaijan. The repatriation took place in the Gazakh region, with the full
cooperation of the Azerbaijani and Armenian authorities.
On
14 September, 7 orthopaedic technologist students successfully graduated
from a 3-year ICRC-training course. They received their internationally
recognized certificates at the House of Government in a ceremony attended by
the Minister of the Labour and Social Protection, Ali Nagiyev, and the ICRC
Head of Baku delegation, Friedrun Medert (see photo).
During this month, the Orthopaedic Centre, Baku, operated jointly by
the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and the ICRC, housed 39 patients
in its dormitory, and delivered 39 prosthesis (among them, 7 amputees were mine
victims) and 52 orthoses. 26 patients were supplied with crutches and sticks,
and 2 patients received wheelchairs. A total of 103 patients were consulted
at the Centre.
On 18 September, the ICRC organised a seminar in cooperation with the Ministry
of Education, for the District Educational Departments' representatives
and teachers of literature. Participants discussed methodical matters related
to the teaching of humanitarian values using a new ICRC textbook ,"My
world, your world", for 6th form secondary school pupils. On 19-23 September,
the ICRC organised a seminar in Moscow entitled "International Humanitarian
Law in the Professional Training of Journalists" for teachers of journalism
in CIS countries. The seminar focussed on issues relating to media coverage
of armed conflicts. From Azerbaijan, the ICRC facilitated the participation
of one teacher of journalism from Khazar University.
In September, the ICRC conducted 8 detention visits to 6 IVSs (isolator
for temporary detention) of the Ministry of Interior in Baku and in the provinces.
Visits were also made to Bailov SIZO (pre-trial isolator) and to Gobustan prison,
of the Ministry of Justice. The visits were conducted in accordance with ICRC
standard procedures, which include private interviews with detainees, and confidential
discussions with the detaining authorities regarding the conditions of detention
and the treatment of detainees.
The Ministry of Justice runs a tuberculosis (TB) project within the
penitentiary system of Azerbaijan. This program allows for the treatment and
follow-up of detainees infected by TB. The ICRC ensures the supply of all
necessary anti-TB medicaments to the central treatment facility in Bina
district, Baku. In addition to providing technical advice, the ICRC also collaborates
with the Ministry to monitor and evaluate the evolution of TB programme. This
month, 621 detainee patients were undergoing TB-treatment in accordance with
the standards recommended by the World Health Organisation, better known by
its acronym DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Short Course).
...AND ELSEWHERE
Afghanistan: ICRC brings medical assistance to Kabul
On 29 September, an ICRC truck reached Kabul with a load of standard medical
supplies for the ICRC-supported hospitals in Kabul to replenish existing stocks.
The truck had left Peshawar the previous day after receiving authorisation to
cross into Afghanistan from both the Pakistani and Taliban authorities. Deliveries
were also made to ICRC-supported first-aid posts outside Kabul on the basis
of needs assessments carried out by the organization's staff still working in
the country.
On 16 September the ICRC moved its expatriate staff to Pakistan, when, following
the latest events in Afghanistan, and following the advise of the Taliban authorities
that they could not guarantee the security of foreigners in Afghanistan.
The ICRC has been working in Afghanistan since 1980, striving to protect and
assist those in need through a number of vital progarmmes in the areas of health,
agriculture, water and sanitation, and visits to places of detention. Its efforts
are concentrated on assisting hospitals, clinics and first-aid centers throughout
Afghanistan, and these efforts continue thanks to the 1,000 Afghan ICRC staff
members still working in the country.
For further information please, contact
ICRC DELEGATION BAKU
FATALI KHAN KHOISKI av. 75, 370110, BAKU
Tel: 90 63 34, 90 63 35, 90 64 52, 40 62 22 Fax: 90 65 19
bakou.bak@icrc.org www.icrc.org
www.azerweb.com/icrc
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