Safeguarding human rights protection of persons deprived of liberty was in the focus of the Council of Europe specialised training sessions aimed at preventing ill-treatment and documenting alleged cases of it in police detention facilities in Armenia. Over 90 representatives from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), police forces, and ambulance services participated in the initiative between October and December 2024, reflecting a united commitment to addressing this pressing issue.

The skill-based sessions covered a range of essential topics, from international standards for documenting ill-treatment under the Istanbul Protocol to practical skills in identifying physical evidence of ill-treatment. The participants engaged in hands-on exercises ensuring they are equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical tools.

The trainings were built on the findings of an assessment report on "The needs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to improve its ability to address issues related to ill-treatment of individuals deprived of their liberty." Developed by Council of Europe consultants, the report highlights critical gaps and proposes actionable solutions to enhance accountability and care for persons deprived of liberty. Apart from this, standardised reporting forms and detailed recommendations have been provided to the MIA.

As a result, a number of pilot initiatives will be launched in Masis and Yerevan police detention facilities, marking the beginning of a systemic change. These pilots will aim to test and refine the newly developed documentation procedures and reporting forms, ensuring their effectiveness before scaling nationwide.

This initiative does not only strengthen Armenia’s ability to protect the rights of those in detention but also reaffirms the nation’s commitment to upholding international human rights standards fostering justice, transparency, and accountability within its institutions.

This event is part of the Council of Europe’s support within the framework of the Project “Strengthening the protection of the rights of persons in detention” that assists the national authorities to further enhance penitentiary reform, prison health care and the protection of human rights of persons deprived of liberty. The Project is financed within the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026 and implemented by the Council of Europe.