Human Rights Defender Initiates Discussion Procedure on Suicide Case at Armavir Prison

According to information circulating in the media, a 31-year-old man detained at the RA Ministry of Justice's Armavir Prison has committed suicide by hanging himself from the bars. In connection with the incident, Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan has initiated a discussion procedure on her own initiative.

Letters will be addressed to the RA Prosecutor General's Office, as well as the Ministries of Health and Justice, demanding a thorough and multi-faceted investigation into the circumstances of the aforementioned case.

The Human Rights Defender emphasizes the following:

• Professional guidelines are necessary for the prevention of suicides among persons deprived of liberty and for the effective organization of psychological work with them. In-depth psychological work must be carried out with these individuals as needed.
• The practical application of tools for assessing the risk of self-harm and suicide requires significant improvement. Periodic retraining of prison staff on instruments for assessing self-harm and suicide risks must be implemented, emphasizing their importance.

“It is extremely important that a proper assessment of the suicide risk of persons deprived of liberty accepted into the correctional facility is conducted, and that means of taking one’s life are not accessible to those classified as at risk of self-harm or suicide. Furthermore, prison service staff should undergo periodic training on the prevention of suicide and self-harm,” states the Human Rights Defender.

Regarding mental health care issues for persons deprived of liberty, it is proposed that, in cases where individuals with psychiatric issues refuse inpatient treatment, the necessity of involuntary treatment should be discussed while complying with legislative requirements.