ALTERNATIVE PUNISHMENT COULD BE EXCELLENT OPTION TO TACKLE PRISON OVERCROWDING IN ARMENIA - UK AMBASSADOR
July 04, 2013 | 13:39
YEREVAN. - UK Ambassador to Armenia Katherine Leach and Armenian
Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan on Thursday visited Nubarashen prison to
study the conditions under which the inmates are kept.
Today's visit summed up the program on monitoring of closed and
semi-closed institutions implemented by Ombudsman's office together
with UK Embassy, Andreasyan told reporters after the visit.
"I asked to allocate AMD 11 million from the 2013 budget, but got a
refusal. However, I received response from the embassy," he said.
Speaking about the visit, Katherine Leach noted two main problems:
condition of the prison building and overcrowding. She noted that
use of alternative punishment could be an excellent option.
The diplomat hailed Armenia's joining the protocol to Convention
against Torture. Ambassador Leach said Armenia is a good example
for the regional states, since not all countries have joined the
Convention so far.
The monitoring of 133 closed and semi-closed institutions, including
penitentiaries, special schools, orphanages and psychiatric hospitals,
have been carried out since the beginning of 2013.
Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am
News from Armenia - NEWS.am
From: A. Papazian
July 04, 2013 | 13:39
YEREVAN. - UK Ambassador to Armenia Katherine Leach and Armenian
Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan on Thursday visited Nubarashen prison to
study the conditions under which the inmates are kept.
Today's visit summed up the program on monitoring of closed and
semi-closed institutions implemented by Ombudsman's office together
with UK Embassy, Andreasyan told reporters after the visit.
"I asked to allocate AMD 11 million from the 2013 budget, but got a
refusal. However, I received response from the embassy," he said.
Speaking about the visit, Katherine Leach noted two main problems:
condition of the prison building and overcrowding. She noted that
use of alternative punishment could be an excellent option.
The diplomat hailed Armenia's joining the protocol to Convention
against Torture. Ambassador Leach said Armenia is a good example
for the regional states, since not all countries have joined the
Convention so far.
The monitoring of 133 closed and semi-closed institutions, including
penitentiaries, special schools, orphanages and psychiatric hospitals,
have been carried out since the beginning of 2013.
Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am
News from Armenia - NEWS.am
From: A. Papazian