Human Rights Defender Calls for Immediate Investigation into Tragic Incident at Nubarashen Psychiatric Center

Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan considers the recent suicide case reported at the Nubarashen psychiatric health center to be highly concerning.

“Individuals in psychiatric health institutions are under the special care and protection of the state, and therefore such incidents raise serious questions regarding the provision of the right to life, adequate supervision, as well as the effectiveness of suicide prevention mechanisms,” she stated.

It is also troubling that this case involves an individual deprived of their freedom, for whom the state bears responsibility to ensure their safety and appropriate medical care.

Such incidents must be the subject of an immediate, effective, and comprehensive investigation by the relevant authorities, and the mechanisms for supervision and suicide prevention in psychiatric health institutions must be appropriately implemented and improved.

The Human Rights Defender will seek clarifications from the competent authorities regarding all circumstances of the case, including the supervision measures applied in the psychiatric facility, medical responses, and actions taken to assess and prevent suicide risks.

The defender reiterates that the protection of the rights of individuals with mental health issues requires a more sensitive, professional, and ongoing approach, and preventing such tragic incidents should be a priority for the state,” stated the message released by the Human Rights Defender.

It is noted that on May 16 at 18:07, the Nubarashen psychiatric health center reported to the Ministry of Emergency Situations that Armen Hovhannisyan, who had been transferred there, committed suicide by hanging.