Conditions for Detaining Persons Deprived of Liberty Examined: Ombudsman

The representatives of the Human Rights Defender conducted two-day unannounced visits to the "Vanadzor" penitentiary, police departments in Lori province, detention facilities, and a psychiatric hospital. This was reported on the Facebook page of the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia, Arman Tatoyan.

"The Torture and Inhumane Treatment Prevention Division of the Human Rights Defender's Office (National Preventive Mechanism) and experts of the national preventive mechanism conducted two-day unannounced monitoring visits to places of deprivation of liberty in Lori province. Specifically, monitoring was carried out at the 'Vanadzor' penitentiary, in the Lori regional psychiatric dispensary, and at the police departments in Spitak and Tashir, as well as in the Taroni and Bazumi districts of Vanadzor and various detention facilities," the statement noted.

The Defender's representatives examined the conditions of detention for persons deprived of liberty, the sanitary and hygienic conditions of the institutions, issues related to medical assistance, proper documentation of medical records, compliance with the expiration dates of medications and food products, working conditions of the staff, and more. Additionally, private conversations were held with persons deprived of liberty and institution staff.

The identified issues were discussed with the heads of the institutions. Summarized analytical reports, detailing the recorded issues and proposed solutions, will be sent to the relevant state authorities.