Further reforms needed in Armenian police detention centres, OSCE-supported report says

YEREVAN, 20 June 2011 –– Efforts to bring Armenian police detention centres in line with national legislation and international human rights standards are progressing, but further improvement of national legislative framework and practice is needed, says an OSCE-supported report released today.

The report presents the results of public monitoring throughout 2010 of police detention centres by the Public Observers Group established by a decree of the Head of Armenian Police in 2006. The report assesses living and sanitary conditions in detention centres, medical services and the possibilities to exercise the right to maintain contacts with the outside world.

“Public monitoring of a state-based system guarantees transparency and increased accountability,” said Vladimir Tchountoulov, Human Rights Officer at the OSCE Office in Yerevan. “We welcome the ongoing co-operation between the police and the civil society through the Public Observers Group and believe that the recommendations of the report will serve as a source of information and inspiration for the government in its efforts to improve the system.”

The group representing ten non-governmental organizations outlined problems and noted some improvements, such as some repairs and heating of some police detention centres. It also offered recommendations on addressing such problems as understaffing, which can potentially lead to violation of detainees’ rights. The absence of medical staff, insufficient food rations and poor condition of the premises in terms of humidity, ventilation and lighting were also among issues addressed.

In addition, the group recommends that instead of current 33 centres, 13 newly-built police detention centres corresponding to international standards are created.

Representatives from the Armenian police, National Assembly, civil society organizations and the Office of the Ombudsman designated as National Preventive Mechanism under the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT) discussed the conclusions of this report.

The report was prepared and published with the support of the Open Society Foundations - Armenia and Partnership for Open Society Initiative.

It is available in English and Armenian on the following website: http://www.policemonitoring.org/DownloadFile/210eng-2.Report_Eng._2011… (English) and http://www.policemonitoring.org/DownloadFile/1404arm-2.Report_arm._2011… (Armenian).