The delegation examined the treatment of and safeguards afforded to persons deprived of their liberty by the police and the military, as well as the treatment and conditions of detention of persons in several prisons as well as at the Central Prison Hospital. Furthermore, it examined the situation of residents in social care homes (“internats”).
The report indicates that most of the persons interviewed by the CPT delegation, who were or had recently been in police custody, stated that they had been treated correctly by the police. However, the delegation gathered some allegations of recent physical ill-treatment of persons detained by the police. These included excessive use of force at the time of apprehension and physical ill-treatment inflicted during questioning by investigators from the Investigative Committee and from the National Security Service, reportedly with the aim of extracting a confession or obtaining other information.
With regard to the situation in prisons, the report positively notes that the CPT delegation did not receive any allegations of physical ill-treatment by staff in the penitentiary establishments visited. However, as regards inter-prisoner violence, the Committee stresses that although the power of the informal prisoner hierarchy seems to have diminished, it has not yet been fully eradicated. Certain categories of inmates continue to be subjected to intimidation, extortion, and exploitation by fellow inmates. In their response, the Armenian authorities inform the CPT about the adoption of the Action Plan for Raising the Effectiveness of the Fight against Criminal Sub-Culture in Penitentiary Institutions.
The CPT findings regarding material conditions in prisons were very similar to those from previous visits; in particular, conditions were generally very poor at Nubarashen Prison, and mediocre at best at Armavir and Artik Prisons. As for the Central Prison Hospital, living conditions therein had further deteriorated since the 2019 periodic visit, the whole establishment being in a state of advanced dilapidation and not befitting a healthcare facility. The Armenian authorities in their response inform the Committee about renovation works in different prisons and the plans to begin construction of a new prison in 2025. Furthermore, according to the Armenian authorities, transfers to the Central Prison Hospital are limited to prisoners in need of long-term or psychiatric treatment, or palliative care.
With regard to the situation in the two social care establishments visited, the report positively notes that no credible allegations of the deliberate physical ill-treatment of residents by staff were received. Indeed, many residents spoke positively about staff, and the atmosphere in the two homes appeared generally relaxed, which is especially commendable considering the challenges faced by the low numbers of staff in caring for so many residents.
The Committee notes, however, that despite its previous recommendation, the Armenian legislation still does not require that the placement of a person in a social care institution against their wishes be periodically reviewed by a court. In their response, the Armenian authorities outline their plans to revise the regulations related to the right of access to the court of persons recognised as legally incompetent, excluding any disproportionate restrictions.
The CPT report and the response of the authorities have been made public at the request of the Government of Armenia.
