OSCE-supported study on probation service establishment presented in Yerevan
YEREVAN, 29 April 2015 – OSCE Office supported study on perspectives of penitentiary reform and introduction of a probation service in Armenia was presented on 28 April 2015 in Yerevan.
The aim of the research was to analyze current challenges in the legislation in the light of international human rights standards and good practices. It also offered recommendations for the proper establishment of probation service.
The study was prepared by the non-governmental organization “Protection of Rights without Borders”, with support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. Representatives of the Justice Ministry, international, state and non-governmental organizations discussed the findings, which will serve as a basis for the strategy to introduce the probation service in Armenia. The strategy will be developed by the Armenian government in line with the 2012-2016 Strategy Paper on Legal and Judicial Reforms.
“We hope that the study itself and today’s discussion will contribute to the government reform efforts aimed at establishment of a probation service with active engagement of the civil society representatives,” said the Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan Ambassador Andrey Sorokin.
Armenia’s Minister of Justice Hovhannes Manukyan informed that the Ministry together with the partners has already developed a draft concept for the introduction of the probation service in the Republic of Armenia, which was revised and submitted to the government after extensive public discussions. "Public opinion is an important factor in making decisions, and we are going to ourselves promote the expression of public opinion, to make legitimate decisions, acceptable by the public," he said. Hovhannes Manukyan thanked all the stakeholders, and in particular the OSCE for the active support to the government efforts to establish probation service.
Haykuhi Harutyunyan, President of “Protection of Rights without Borders” NGO, said: “Probation institution is an important component in criminal justice and we hope the recommendations, the analysis of Armenia’s legislative framework, as well as international practices analyzed in the report will serve as a good basis for establishment of a probation service with collaborative efforts.”
The study can be found at the following link: //www.osce.org/yerevan/153706