“In
2025, around 200 individuals carried out more than 300 hunger strikes in places
of deprivation of liberty in Armenia”
This
was stated by the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia, Ms. Anahit
Manasyan, during an interview with Artur Kirakosyan on FreeNews.
Within
the framework of the interview, inter alia, the issues related to hunger
strikes by persons deprived of liberty were referred. The Defender specifically noted:
▪️ The
state cannot force a citizen not to carry out a hunger strike. At the same
time, the state has clear legal obligations that must be fulfilled during
hunger strikes carried out by persons deprived of liberty.
▪️ Ensuring
the rights of all persons deprived of liberty who carry out hunger strikes is
equally important and a priority for the Human Rights Defender. A person's
public activity cannot be considered an advantage from the perspective of the
Human Rights Defender’s Office when addressing various rights-related cases.
▪️ I
regularly speak publicly and issue statements on systemic problems, while the
Human Rights Defender’s Office issues statements on individual cases subject to
specific criteria. I consistently raise issues related to legal liability for
violations of the limits of detention and freedom of speech.
Reference
was also made to the return of Armenians deprived of liberty in Azerbaijan:
The
state must provide these individuals with appropriate social and psychological
support, while society should contribute to their reintegration.
It is
necessary to refrain as much as possible from making these individuals the
subject of public interest by publishing videos or photos involving them, as
this may lead to violations of standards and various problems.
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