Human Rights Defender Representatives Document Unacceptable Violations Against Clergymen

By the order of the Human Rights Defender, another rapid response group of the Human Rights Defender's office has visited the investigation department of the Investigative Committee of Armenia in Yerevan, specifically the Centers and Norq-Marash administrative districts, where Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, the leader of the Aragatsotn Diocese, is located. The Human Rights Defender's office has issued a statement regarding this visit.

During the private conversations held during the representatives’ visits, the Human Rights Defender’s representatives were informed that individuals with the status of a witness in criminal proceedings were presented to the prosecuting body without proper adherence to criminal procedural standards. The Defender has repeatedly addressed this issue and reaffirms his position that any case of actual deprivation of liberty must comply with established legality standards and must be carried out strictly within the framework of criminal procedural law.

These cases will also remain under the immediate attention of the Human Rights Defender, both from the perspective of ensuring the protection of individual rights and eliminating systemic problems.

The Human Rights Defender considers it unacceptable that issues arise regarding the entry of lawyers arriving to provide legal assistance to clients and their ability to meet with their clients. He has continually emphasized that lawyers' access and their meetings with clients are aimed at guaranteeing the full realization of an individual’s rights. Such practices jeopardize the ability of individuals, especially those subjected to criminal prosecution, to receive legal assistance while located in the prosecuting body’s premises, as well as the proper realization of related rights.

Additionally, during the private discussions, the Human Rights Defender’s representatives were presented with alarming information that individuals deprived of liberty were not given the opportunity to inform their chosen persons about their whereabouts. The Defender stresses that this practice must be completely excluded.

Given the information provided, the Defender calls the attention of the competent authorities to the created situation, emphasizing the urgent need for solutions to the emerged problems.

At the same time, while emphasizing the necessity for a comprehensive, complete, and objective examination of each criminal case, the Defender particularly highlights that in these processes, the guarantee of respect for human rights and the fundamental principle of the supremacy of human rights should be paramount.

The results of the conducted visits will be summarized in the Human Rights Defender's office, and necessary clarifications will be sought from the competent authorities. It is also noteworthy that by the order of the Human Rights Defender, the office is in contact with lawyers, providing them with information regarding the whereabouts of their clients.