Detained Women Express Dissatisfaction with Police Use of Excessive Force: Results of the Rapid Response Visit by the Human Rights Defender

According to the observations of mass media, the office of the Human Rights Defender today noted that around 1:00 PM, a group of citizens were detained in front of the administrative building of the Government of the Republic of Armenia adjacent to Republic Square. Numerous similar reports have been received by the Defender's office.

Rapid response teams from the Defender's office conducted visits to police stations, having individual conversations with those detained and some of their lawyers. All women subjected to administrative detention mentioned during the conversations that the police officers did not present any demands when detaining them and did not inform them of the grounds and reasons for their detention. The grounds and reasons were also not presented at the police stations.

Almost all noted that their minimum rights were not communicated to them in the police stations. During the conversations, citizens also reported that the police response to their actions during the gathering was disproportionate. For instance, one of the women deprived of her freedom stated that four police officers detained her, while another claimed three officers used excessive force against her. Similar issues were raised by other detainees as well.

The representatives of the Defender clarified the minimum rights of the persons deprived of their freedom. Today's visits revealed systemic issues regarding the detention of individuals in the context of administrative arrests—specifically concerning the failure to inform detainees of the grounds and reasons for their detention, the lack of clarification of rights, and the use of force during detainment.

There is a need for a more individualized approach, viewing detention as a last resort while taking into account the specific circumstances of the situation, the gender of the detainee, and other factors. During their visits, the representatives of the Defender got acquainted with the materials of the administrative proceedings and received necessary clarifications from the leadership of the police stations.

Police officers cooperated appropriately with the Defender's office during the visits, providing all necessary information. The results of the visits are being summarized, and clarifications will be requested from the police based on the findings.