STATEMENT
Mr. Arman Tatoyan, Human Rights Defender of Armenia made an unannounced visit to “Abovyan”Penitentiary Institution along with civil society representatives, in particular with the members of “Children’s Association of Armenia” and “Civil Society Institute” NGOs, as well as independent experts on October 21. The civil society representatives who were present are also members of Expert Council on Prevention of Torture adjunct to the Human Rights Defender.
During the visit to the penitentiary the Human Rights Defender held private meetings with juvenile and female detainees and convicts, as well as got first hand view of the incarceration conditions.
During the visit the issues of medical treatment, as well as possibilities of realization of rights of the detainees of “Abovyan” Penitentiary Institution were also examined. A thorough examination into relevant documents was conducted.
In the framework of the visit Mr. Tatoyan also held a meeting with the administration of the Penitentiary Institution and discussed a range of issues pertaining to the incarceration conditions with them.
Unannounced visits of the Human Rights Defender to penitentiary institutions and detention centers will from now on be carried out consistently.