OSCE supports public monitoring of pre-trial detention centres in Armenia

YEREVAN, 7 August 2006 - Human rights non-governmental organizations today began monitoring the conditions in pre-trial detention centres as part of a project supported by the OSCE Office in Yerevan and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

The project will initially run for three months. It aims to gather information about human rights standards in the detention centres so that suggestions on how to improve the situation and increase government accountability can be made. A monitoring report will be presented to the Armenian police that is in charge of pre-trial detention centres.

"The establishment of a monitoring mechanism for pre-trial detention facilities in Armenia is a remarkable step forward to establish full public monitoring for all places of detention in the country," said Lars Gerold, an ODIHR Rule of Law expert.

In recent years the OSCE Office and the ODIHR have supported the creation and work of the Armenian Prison Monitoring Board, which observes the conditions within Armenian pre-trial detention centres. The ODIHR provided funding for the institutional set up of the board for at least three months and assisted with training for the members of the board.

The OSCE has invited Kassimir Khanev, Chairman of the Helsinki Committee of Bulgaria, to provide advice and share experiences with the Armenian monitors.

"Public oversight over detention centres provides an opportunity to make sure that the rights of detainees are adequately protected," he said.

Mr. Khanev will participate in several monitoring visits together with his Armenian colleagues. Earlier this year, the OSCE provided special training for the monitors.