New and quite serious responsibilities undertaken by the Commissioner specified more efficient and higher quality activities which resulted in the expansion of her mandate, as well as staff’s competence. By making additions and amendments to the Constitutional Law8the Commissioner’s powers and independence have been complied with the level of the authority of the NPM as provided for by the OPCAT, also the NPG has been created, as well as obligations, rights and guarantees of the NPG members have been enacted to ensure the Commissioner’s activities as an NPM, based on the principles of transparency. According to the Constitutional Law, the Commissioner in fulfillment the duties as the NPM, has the right to have access, at anytime, without hindrance and prior notification, to police stations, temporary detention places (TDPs), investigation isolators (II), penitentiary facilities, military detention places, psychiatric institutions and other places where detainees are not permitted to leave at will, meet and interview detained person, as well as any other persons who may provide relevant information, in private or when deemed necessary with participation of a specialist or interpreter; get acquainted with and obtain copies of all documents confirming the legality of detention, as well as relating to treatment of them or detention conditions; draw up acts, and minutes to document the flow and results of undertaken actions.9 The Commissioner’s right to make recommendations to relevant authorities and receive responses to those recommendations within the specified time limit has also been stipulated in the aforementioned law.10 Over the previous period, the legislative acts were improved, as well as the provisions specifying the Commissioner’s and NPG’s aforementioned powers were incorporated into the relevant normative legal acts to ensure the NPM’s efficient operation.11 8 The Constitutional Law on the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, (24.06.2011, № 163-IVKQD) 9 The Constitutional Law, Article12.2.1; 18-1.2.1 The Constitutional Law, Article 12.2.1 11 Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Making Amendments to the Execution Punishment Code (20.04.2012, № 324-IVQD); the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Making amendments to the Law on Psychiatric Care (20.04.2012, № 325-IVQD); The Law on Making Amendments to Annex 4 of the Regulations of the Garrisons and Guard Services of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan which was confirmed by Law No 886 of 23 September 1994. (20.04. 2012); № 326-IVQD); The Decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Making Amendments to “The Sample Regulations of Open and Closed Special Correctional Institutions approved by Decision No 65 of the Cabinet of Ministers dated 13 May 2003” (04.07.2012, № 148); The Decision of the Plenary Board of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan on “Making Amendments to the Internal Disciplinary Rules of Penitentiary Institutions approved by Decision No. 7 of 29 December 2011 of the Plenary Board of the Ministry of Justice” 10 9