CAT/OP/ARM/2/Add.1
I. On the main legal, institutional and structural issues
1.
According to the National Human Rights Action Plan, amendments to the Republic
of Armenia (RA) Human Rights Defender’s Law, based on the United Nations Optional
Protocol the Convention on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment (OPCAT), are foreseen in the third quarter of 2014. Thus, the concerns raised
in the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) Report to the Republic
of Armenia will be resolved through the draft. Furthermore, in the 2014-2015 List of
Measures of the Implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy’s RA-European
Union Action Plan as a priority is outlined the strengthening of the activities of the Human
Rights Defender as the National Preventive Mechanism. The outcome expected is the
adoption of the RA Law “On the Amendments and Changes to the RA Human Rights
Defender Law” to completely ensure the activities of the RA Human Rights Defender as
National Preventive Mechanism of Armenia.
2.
Currently, by the decree of the RA Human Rights Defender the newly established
Department of National Preventive Mechanism in cooperation with the Legal Analysis
Department of the RA Human Rights Defender Institution (HRDI) is reviewing the best
international practice of NPM law in order to draft the RA Law “On the Amendments and
Changes to the RA Human Rights Defender Law.” The final draft will be sent to the SPT
for opinion.
II. Visibility and identification
3.
In order to raise the visibility of the NPM among the civil society, the following
steps were undertaken:
• Within the structure of the RA Human Rights Defender Institution, the National
Preventive Mechanism Department was established with its own logo;
• Already 3 public statements were made with the aforementioned name, clearly
defining the name, mandate and position of the NPM
• In order to raise the visibility and to provide the clear identification for the NPM, on
8 May 2014 the session of the Expert Council adjunct to the National Preventive
Mechanism Department was conducted, where among other issues, the issue of
engagement of Expert Council members in other observer groups was also
discussed. As an outcome of the session, 3 experts out of 4 who were engaged in
other observer groups as well agreed to leave their positions in those groups upon
the termination of their terms there ( by June, 2014) thereby contributing to the
activities of raising the visibility of NPM and of providing its proper identification.
The other member preferred to stay in the observer group justifying that his nongovernmental organization (NGO) has already a member in the Expert Council (2
experts were involved in the Council).
• In order to increase the visibility, negotiations are being conducted with partner
organizations on conducting NPM awareness raising programs through information
various means
4.
Already badges were obtained for the members of the NPM and Expert Council so
as to identify the members during the visits and monitoring. Currently measures are being
undertaken for obtaining the relevant uniform (vests, headwear, etc.) that would provide
more visual identification.
GE.17-01120
3