Police Fully Accepts Ombudsman’s Recommendations on the Rights of Detainees

The draft decision to amend the internal regulations for detention facilities within the system of the Police of the Republic of Armenia has been submitted for the opinion of the Human Rights Defender.

According to the Public Relations Department of the Office of the Human Rights Defender, the review of the draft indicates that it fully reflects the recommendations related to detention facilities (DF) made in the annual reports on the activities of the Human Rights Defender as a national preventive mechanism, as well as in analytical reports based on monitoring visits conducted to police departments and detention facilities.

In particular, the Human Rights Defender suggested that:

• DF cell lighting should be equipped with electric regulators, allowing for the reduction of artificial lighting at night, thereby facilitating the right to rest and sleep for individuals deprived of their liberty.
• Women admitted to DF must be provided with personal hygienic products during their stay, among other provisions.
• The exercise yards of DF should be equipped with facilities for physical activity, including benches and trash bins.
• The medical examination of individuals deprived of their liberty during admission to and while staying in the DF should be subject to legislative regulation.
• The glass partitions present in the meeting rooms of DF should be dismantled, eliminating physical barriers to contact between individuals deprived of their liberty and their close relatives.

The Human Rights Defender welcomes this example of cooperation with the Police aimed at implementing the recommendations of the Defender as a national preventive mechanism.

Comments from the Office of the Human Rights Defender regarding other provisions of the draft will be presented in the form of an opinion.