Representatives
of the department implementing the functions of the National Preventive
Mechanism of the Human Rights Defender’s Office conducted an unannounced visit
to "Vardashen" Penitentiary Institution.
During
the visit, private interviews were held with persons deprived of their liberty,
including foreign nationals. The representatives examined the protection of
their rights, reviewed the necessary documentation, and the conditions under
which individuals are held in the penitentiary.
Following
the previous unannounced visit by the Defender’s representatives, some cells of
the penitentiary institution were renovated and adapted to meet the needs of
persons with disabilities. Furthermore, a new waiting room is being constructed
at the entrance to the penitentiary, designed to ensure the unhindered
implementation of the visitation process in all weather conditions.
At
the same time, persons deprived of their liberty raised several concerns,
including the urgent need for penitentiary renovations, the lack or
insufficiency of exercise equipment and sports equipment in the playgrounds,
the need to have an environment adapted to the needs of persons with
disabilities and the interruptions in the supply of drinking water.
Furthermore,
cases were recorded where prescribed medication was not provided to persons
deprived of their liberty.
Complaints
from foreign nationals mainly concerned communication difficulties in
penitentiary institutions and the lack of translations of judicial acts to be
provided by the competent authority.
The
identified problems were discussed with the penitentiary administration, and a
comprehensive analytical report, including the recorded problems and
recommendations for their resolution, will be submitted to the relevant
authorities.
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