CHAPTER 6. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION In 2014 the as a National Preventive Mechanism the Commissioner paid special attention to international relations, existing cooperation in this sphere was realized more effectively. Expanding of relations of the Commissioner with the Council of Europe, OSCE, International Committee of Red Cross and other organizations, as well as with her foreign colleagues, sharing of opinions and experience was useful in the activity as an NPM. The international relations as an NPM were realized in the directions of organization of different meetings, joints events in the field of prevention of torture, participation of the Commissioner and the NPM Group members at the international events and mutual experience exchange. Joint participation of Deputy Head of the National Institutions and Regional Mechanisms Section under UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Aferin Shahidzadeh with the members of the National Preventive Group of the Ombudsman in the visit to the Penitentiary Institution No. 10 of the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice in June 2014, is one of the examples of international cooperation of the Azerbaijani NPM. Within the frames of the conducted visit A. Shahidzadeh got acquainted with the work experience, visit methodology of the National Preventive Group. The monitoring carried out by the NPG was highly appreciated by the expert. Besides this, in compliance with the new rules of procedures of submission of reports adopted by the CAT in 2007, and to which the Republic of Azerbaijan has been a party to from 2011, the additions were included to the draft project of the fourth periodic report of the Republic of Azerbaijan on implementation of the “Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment” prepared by concerning working group guided by the Minister of the Foreign Affairs by the Decree No. 3050 of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Preparation and Submission of the Fourth Periodic Report of the Republic of Azerbaijan on implementation of the “Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment” and the information about ensuring the independence of the institute of the Commissioner for human rights and about the activity of the institute as a national preventive mechanism, as well as the complaints on torture and cruel treatment received and investigated by the institute was prepared and submitted to relevant addresses. The NPG members this year participated at several events and meetings with foreign colleagues organized by international organizations, improved their useful knowledge and gained new skills. 77