The
Human Rights Defender has documented several issues regarding the proper
management of hunger strikes of individuals deprived of their liberty in
penitentiary institutions. Recently, the Defender’s Office has received
numerous complaints about ongoing problems related to this matter, particularly
concerning access to adequate inpatient medical care.
Defender
Anahit Manasyan has expressed concern over the unjustified delays in
transferring hunger-striking individuals who require inpatient medical
treatment to the 'Hospital for the convicted' or other healthcare institutions.
These delays sometimes lead to irreversible consequences.
For
example, the Defender’s Office was informed of the death of a detainee who had
been on a hunger strike for 20 days. The Office had repeatedly emphasized the need
for inpatient treatment for this individual in various forms with the
'Penitentiary Medicine Center' SNCO.
The
Defender emphasizes that the state is responsible for ensuring the rights of
individuals deprived of the liberty or otherwise under its jurisdiction.
Relevant
state bodies are obligated to take all necessary measures to prevent violations
of these individuals' rights and to ensure a comprehensive, thorough, and
impartial investigation of deaths and other incidents.
The
Defender is also concerned that persons in penitentiary institutions, as a form
of protest, often resort to self-harm, including swallowing objects that become
accessible to them. The Human Rights Defender once again emphasizes that
competent authorities must take proactive measures to prevent such
incidents.
The
Human Rights Defender has repeatedly addressed these issues, both in public
speeches and during various discussions. The matter has also been thoroughly
analyzed in the 2023 Annual Report of the Human Rights Defender as a National
Preventive Mechanism.
The
protection of the right to life and health in places of deprivation of liberty
remains a priority for the Human Rights Defender. These issues are continuously
analyzed, and relevant recommendations are presented to competent authorities
to improve the field.
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