Unannounced Monitoring Visits Conducted at Detention Facilities in Lori Province

The Office of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia’s Torture and Inhumane Treatment Prevention Department (National Preventive Mechanism) and experts from the national preventive mechanism conducted two days of unannounced monitoring visits to detention facilities in Lori Province on the directive of the Defender.

This information was shared by the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, Arman Tatoyan, on his Facebook page.

Specifically, the monitoring took place at the "Vanadzor" penitentiary, the regional psychiatric dispensary in Lori, and at the police divisions in Spitak and Tashir, as well as in the Taroni and Bazumi divisions of Vanadzor city, and detention facilities.

Representatives of the Defender's office reviewed the conditions of detention for individuals deprived of their liberty, the sanitary and hygienic conditions within the institutions, medical assistance issues, the proper management of medical documentation, compliance with the expiration dates of medications and food, work conditions of staff, among others.

Private conversations were also held with detained individuals and the staff of the institutions. The reported issues were discussed with the heads of the facilities. Summarized analytical reports, including identified problems and proposed solutions, will be sent to the relevant state authorities.