From the
early morning, the Human Rights Defender’s Office received calls from
individuals who started hunger strike at the National Center for Mental Health
Care (Nubarashen psychiatric establishment).
According
to the calls, the reason for the hunger strikes was the prohibition of bringing
meals prepared by their families to the psychiatric establishment.
In
connection to these calls, the specialists of the Department for Prevention of
Torture and Ill-Treatment of the Office of the Human Rights Defender were in
constant contact with the director and deputy director of the psychiatric establishment,
as well as with the persons on hunger striker.
According
to the clarifications made by the administration of the psychiatric
establishment, the purpose of the ban was the prevention of the spread of recent
intestinal infection. The ban is of a temporary nature and is related
exclusively to the homemade meal (vegetables, fruit, bread, snacks and other
raw food is not prohibited).
During
private interviews, the individuals on hunger strikes informed the Human Rights
Defender’s staff that they were given full clarification about the temporary
restriction of parcels, and they ended the hunger strike.
The
issues with regard to the mental health of the patients at the psychiatric establishments
and the protection of their rights remains at the center of the Human Rights
Defender’s attention.
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