Tweet
UN COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE STARTS CONSIDERATION OF ARMENIA'S THIRD PERIODIC REPORT
news.am
May 10, 2012 | 21:00
The UN Committee against Torture this morning began its consideration
of the third periodic report of Armenia on how it implements the
provisions of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Introducing the report, Yeghishe Kirakosyan, Deputy Minister of
Justice of Armenia, said in recent years, national legislation
had been continuously brought into compliance with the Convention
and other international instruments, says the statement posted on
Committees website.
The amendment to the Criminal Code, before the Parliament now, brought
the definition of torture into compliance with the Convention. Steps
had been taken to improve the application of safeguards to persons
deprived of liberty and in this sense the new Criminal Procedure Code
was being elaborated. Significant investments were being made into
the office of the human rights defender, which today was a valuable
instrument for the protection of human rights in Armenia.
The problem of torture in penitentiary institutions had been solved
and the focus now was on addressing poor building conditions and
overcrowding. To ensure a positive impact in the fight against
trafficking in persons, the Government had approved the establishment
of the National Referral Mechanism for Trafficked Persons, a national
framework for cooperation to protect and enhance the rights of
trafficked persons.
Felice Gaer, Committee Expert who served as Rapporteur for the report
of Armenia, noted the contradictions between progress achieved at the
highest levels and the persistent problems of impunity, corruption
and failure to prosecute police officers or public officialsÑ~N
He raised issues of detention and access to legal safeguards;
bringing the definition of torture in compliance with the Convention
against Torture; the responsibility of public officials for torture
and degrading treatment of punishment; and the 2011 statistics on
prosecutions for domestic violence.
The next session on Armenia is scheduled for Friday.
From: Baghdasarian
news.am
May 10, 2012 | 21:00
The UN Committee against Torture this morning began its consideration
of the third periodic report of Armenia on how it implements the
provisions of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Introducing the report, Yeghishe Kirakosyan, Deputy Minister of
Justice of Armenia, said in recent years, national legislation
had been continuously brought into compliance with the Convention
and other international instruments, says the statement posted on
Committees website.
The amendment to the Criminal Code, before the Parliament now, brought
the definition of torture into compliance with the Convention. Steps
had been taken to improve the application of safeguards to persons
deprived of liberty and in this sense the new Criminal Procedure Code
was being elaborated. Significant investments were being made into
the office of the human rights defender, which today was a valuable
instrument for the protection of human rights in Armenia.
The problem of torture in penitentiary institutions had been solved
and the focus now was on addressing poor building conditions and
overcrowding. To ensure a positive impact in the fight against
trafficking in persons, the Government had approved the establishment
of the National Referral Mechanism for Trafficked Persons, a national
framework for cooperation to protect and enhance the rights of
trafficked persons.
Felice Gaer, Committee Expert who served as Rapporteur for the report
of Armenia, noted the contradictions between progress achieved at the
highest levels and the persistent problems of impunity, corruption
and failure to prosecute police officers or public officialsÑ~N
He raised issues of detention and access to legal safeguards;
bringing the definition of torture in compliance with the Convention
against Torture; the responsibility of public officials for torture
and degrading treatment of punishment; and the 2011 statistics on
prosecutions for domestic violence.
The next session on Armenia is scheduled for Friday.
From: Baghdasarian