The
Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia, Ms. Anahit Manasyan considers
the increase in cases of deaths, suicides and self-harm in penitentiary
institutions to be extremely concerning, once again drawing the attention of
the competent authorities to the issues of their prevention.
The
Defender records that there are systemic problems in organizing proper medical
care for persons with mental health problems in penitentiary institutions, in
particular, in the process of initiating a stationary, involuntary treatment
procedure. In this context, the Defender emphasizes that the state bears
responsibility for ensuring the rights—including the right to health and the
right to life—of individuals deprived of liberty or otherwise under the
jurisdiction of the state.
The
Human Rights Defender constantly addresses the problems recorded in connection
with ensuring the rights of persons deprived of their liberty — including the
right to health — both in annual reports and in discussions with competent
authorities and in public statements.
The
Defender once again emphasizes that persons with mental health problems in
places of deprivation of liberty must be provided with proper supervision,
adequate psychiatric assistance and services should be provided.
Every
case of death, suicide and self-harm in places of deprivation of liberty is in
the direct attraction of the Human Rights Defender, and clarifications
regarding them are required from the competent authorities.
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