On
February 28 and 29, on the instructions of the Human Rights Defender the HRD
representatives made unannounced visits to the "Vanadzor" and
"Abovyan" penitentiary institutions of the Ministry of Justice of
Armenia.
Private
interviews were held with persons deprived of their liberty, including persons
on hunger strike in "Vanadzor" penitentiary institutions. The state
of ensuring their rights, necessary documents and conditions of detention were
examined.
In
"Vanadzor" penitentiary institution, persons deprived of their
liberty raised questions about the necessary amenities in the cells, the
ventilation system, the lack of prescribed medication, the lack of proper
medical care, etc., which, according to them, was the reason for the hunger
strike.
Persons
deprived of their liberty in "Abovyan" penitentiary institution
raised questions related to medical services, noting that the physical
examinations they need are organized with delays in medical centers. According
to the received information, there are often issues with the transfer,
reception and proper organization of further medical care processes of persons
deprived of their liberty to civilian medical institutions.
Despite
the fact that the Defender regularly holds discussions with the competent
authorities regarding the problems of persons deprived of their liberty in the
penitentiary institutions, however, once again, she wants to draw the attention
of the competent authorities to the issues related to organizing the proper
medical care of persons deprived of their liberty in medical institutions
outside the penitentiary institutions and calls to take urgent steps towards
finding systemic solutions to the issue.
According
to domestic and international standards aimed at guaranteeing the right to
health care of persons deprived of their liberty, it is a positive duty of the
state.
The
representatives of the Defender's Office discussed the recorded problems with
the administrations of the penitentiary institutions and the medical staff of
the relevant units of the Penitentiary Medicine Center (PMC).
The
results of the unannounced visits will be summarized and letters will be sent
to the competent authorities regarding the recorded problems.
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