On
January 10, the Human Rights Defender Ms. Anahit Manasyan visited the
"Armavir" Penitentiary Institution under the Ministry of Justice.
Accompanied
by the Head of the Penitentiary Service, Ms. Tsovinar Tadevosyan, Deputy Heads
of the Penitentiary Service, Head of the Institution Mr. Arsen Arzumanyan, and
representatives of the Human Rights Defender’s office, Ms. Anahit Manasyan
toured the facility and examined the conditions under which detainees are held.
Ms.
Anahit Manasyan also visited cells, spoke with detainees, including those on
hunger strike, and listened to the issues they raised.
During
the tour, the Defender was briefed on the existing problems in the institution
and the ongoing efforts to address them.
Subsequently,
the Human Rights Defender and representatives of the Defender’s office held a
meeting with individuals sentenced to life imprisonment, during which the
detainees presented their concerns. Among other issues, they raised questions
regarding the possibility of changing security zones, the right to healthcare,
and other matters.
The
Defender Ms. Anahit Manasyan discussed with the Head of the Penitentiary
Service, Ms. Tsovinar Tadevosyan, issues related to the prevention of suicides
and self-harm among detainees, the accessibility of prohibited items, and the
proper management of hunger strikes.
The
issues raised by the detainees will be thoroughly analyzed by the Defender, and
relevant proposals will be submitted to the competent authorities.
The
Human Rights Defender emphasizes that the state bears responsibility for
ensuring the rights of individuals deprived of liberty or otherwise under the
jurisdiction of the state.
Ensuring
the right to life and health in places of deprivation of liberty remains a
constant focus of the Human Rights Defender.
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