Public consultation on reforming the system of conditional release in Armenia took place in Yerevan on 15 May 2024. Among the attendees were representatives from the Ministry of Justice, the Prosecutor General's Office, Penitentiary Service, Probation Service and relevant NGOs. The aim of the meeting was to examine key issues related to conditional release policies, discuss potential strategies and formulate recommendations.
The workshop covered two main topics. Firstly, a report on conditional release prepared by the Council of Europe national and international consultants was presented. This report assessed the current system, highlighted best practices of the Council of Europe member states, and proposed ways to improve the Armenian system. Secondly, the concept note on conditional release, prepared by the Ministry of Justice's working group on the basis of the report, was discussed. This note provided additional insights and recommendations for enhancing the current system.
Participants explored various aspects of the conditional release system and suggested ways to improve it in line with international standards. The event provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, share experiences, and collaborate on strategies for better implementation of conditional release policies while emphasising the importance of continuous evaluation and improvement of conditional release practices. It is expected that the outcomes of the consultation will be taken into account by the Ministry of Justice while finalising the concept note and further improving the conditional release mechanism in Armenia.
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.