YEREVAN, Armenia – Anahit Manasyan, the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, along with representatives from her office, conducted a visit to the “Yerevan-Kentron” Penitentiary within the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia. The purpose of the visit was to thoroughly assess the conditions, ensure the protection of the rights of individuals deprived of liberty, and address various issues raised by the inmates.
Addressing Inmate Concerns and Systemic Issues
During the visit, the Defender and her team met with several inmates, familiarizing themselves with their concerns and the solutions provided through the Defender’s intervention. Notably, a number of issues raised by individuals held at the “Yerevan-Kentron” Penitentiary, including prominent figures such as Robert Kocharyan and Gagik Khachatryan, have been successfully resolved through effective cooperation with the competent authorities. For other pending matters, necessary steps are being undertaken within the Defender’s mandate.
The Human Rights Defender emphasized the importance of the established effective cooperation with the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia. She also highlighted the commitment of the competent body to addressing the issues identified by her office.
Upholding Dignity and Human Rights Standards
As a general principle, the Human Rights Defender underscored that the treatment of every individual deprived of liberty must be dignified and comply with modern human rights standards. This approach aims to exclude any unnecessarily harsh or preferential treatment, ensuring fairness and equality for all inmates.
Manasyan has repeatedly addressed the issues related to the detention conditions at the “Yerevan-Kentron” Penitentiary, stressing their systemic nature. She has consistently called for the implementation of necessary systemic solutions to improve these conditions. All issues raised during the recent visit will also be brought to the attention of the relevant authorities for further action.
Broader Context of Human Rights Advocacy
This visit is part of a broader series of engagements by the Human Rights Defender’s office. Recent activities include a rapid response visit to military unit N following an alleged violence alert against a serviceman, and a meeting with Thijs Berman, Executive Director of the European Partnership for Democracy organization. The Defender has also consistently emphasized that the prevention of violence in care institutions must be a priority.
Furthermore, the Defender’s office has been active in international forums, with a recent visit to Brussels highlighting the importance of strengthening the independence of national human rights institutions. Discussions have also taken place on ensuring the rights of individuals under house arrest and promoting effective and meaningful involvement in decision-making processes, beyond mere participation.
These efforts collectively demonstrate the Human Rights Defender’s commitment to upholding human rights across various sectors and ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their circumstances, are treated with dignity and have their rights protected.
