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FURTHER REFORMS NEEDED IN ARMENIAN POLICE DETENTION CENTRES
hetq
18:01, June 20, 2011
Efforts to bring Armenian police detention centres in line with
national legislation and international human rights standards are
progressing, but further improvement of national legislative framework
and practice is needed, says an OSCE-supported report released today.
The report presents the results of public monitoring throughout 2010 of
police detention centres by the Public Observers Group established by
a decree of the Head of Armenian Police in 2006. The report assesses
living and sanitary conditions in detention centres, medical services
and the possibilities to exercise the right to maintain contacts with
the outside world.
"Public monitoring of a state-based system guarantees transparency
and increased accountability," said Vladimir Tchountoulov, Human
Rights Officer at the OSCE Office in Yerevan. "We welcome the ongoing
co-operation between the police and the civil society through the
Public Observers Group and believe that the recommendations of the
report will serve as a source of information and inspiration for the
government in its efforts to improve the system."
The group representing ten non-governmental organizations outlined
problems and noted some improvements, such as some repairs and heating
of some police detention centres. It also offered recommendations on
addressing such problems as understaffing, which can potentially lead
to violation of detainees' rights.
The absence of medical staff, insufficient food rations and poor
condition of the premises in terms of humidity, ventilation and
lighting were also among issues addressed.
In addition, the group recommends that instead of current 33 centres,
13 newly-built police detention centres corresponding to international
standards are created.
Representatives from the Armenian police, National Assembly, civil
society organizations and the Office of the Ombudsman designated
as National Preventive Mechanism under the Optional Protocol to the
UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT) discussed the conclusions of
this report.
The report was prepared and published with the support of the Open
Society Foundations - Armenia and Partnership for Open Society
Initiative.
From: Baghdasarian
hetq
18:01, June 20, 2011
Efforts to bring Armenian police detention centres in line with
national legislation and international human rights standards are
progressing, but further improvement of national legislative framework
and practice is needed, says an OSCE-supported report released today.
The report presents the results of public monitoring throughout 2010 of
police detention centres by the Public Observers Group established by
a decree of the Head of Armenian Police in 2006. The report assesses
living and sanitary conditions in detention centres, medical services
and the possibilities to exercise the right to maintain contacts with
the outside world.
"Public monitoring of a state-based system guarantees transparency
and increased accountability," said Vladimir Tchountoulov, Human
Rights Officer at the OSCE Office in Yerevan. "We welcome the ongoing
co-operation between the police and the civil society through the
Public Observers Group and believe that the recommendations of the
report will serve as a source of information and inspiration for the
government in its efforts to improve the system."
The group representing ten non-governmental organizations outlined
problems and noted some improvements, such as some repairs and heating
of some police detention centres. It also offered recommendations on
addressing such problems as understaffing, which can potentially lead
to violation of detainees' rights.
The absence of medical staff, insufficient food rations and poor
condition of the premises in terms of humidity, ventilation and
lighting were also among issues addressed.
In addition, the group recommends that instead of current 33 centres,
13 newly-built police detention centres corresponding to international
standards are created.
Representatives from the Armenian police, National Assembly, civil
society organizations and the Office of the Ombudsman designated
as National Preventive Mechanism under the Optional Protocol to the
UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT) discussed the conclusions of
this report.
The report was prepared and published with the support of the Open
Society Foundations - Armenia and Partnership for Open Society
Initiative.
From: Baghdasarian