The
Human Rights Defender Ms. Anahit Manasyan's message on the International Day in
Support of Victims of Torture.
"June
26 marks the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture declared by the
United Nations.
As a
National Prevention Mechanism, the activities of the Human Rights Defender are
aimed at preventing torture and other forms of ill-treatment in our country.
In
the annual and ad hoc reports, the Defender has always emphasized the lack of
compensation, and other support mechanisms for non-material damage caused by
ill-treatment. This is a priority issue that should be properly addressed by
the state.
It is
also very important to provide psychological, medical and social-rehabilitation
services to torture survivors and their family members.
The
Defender's Office continues to receive complaints and alarming-calls regarding
the alleged cases of torture in penitentiary institutions, the Police, and
investigative bodies.
This
circumstance is very concerning. The state should take clear steps to prevent
torture cases. Moreover, it is necessary to respond to those cases quickly and
adequately, to be consistent from the viewpoint of ensuring an effective
investigation and bringing the culprits to justice. In that regard, there are
various problems in our state that need to be overcome as soon as possible.
I am
sure that we should unite our efforts with our daily work to create such an
environment in Armenia where torture and other forms of ill-treatment will be
excluded.
I
would like to make a special reference to the policy adopted by the Azerbaijani
authorities, including the torture and inhumane treatment of Armenian Prisoners
of War and civilian captives held in Azerbaijan. This circumstance is
unacceptable from the viewpoint of all the values adopted by the modern
civilized world, and should be properly addressed by the international
community".
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