CAT/OP/ARM/1
I. Introduction
1.
In accordance with its mandate set forth in the Optional Protocol to the Convention
against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
(hereinafter referred to as “the Optional Protocol” or OPCAT), members of the
Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment (hereinafter referred to as “the SPT”) visited the Republic of Armenia
(hereinafter referred to as “Armenia”) from 3 to 6 September 2013.
2.
The SPT was represented by the following members: Ms. Mari Amos (Head of the
delegation), Mr. Victor Madrigal-Borloz and Mr. Miguel Sarre Iguíniz.
3.
The SPT was assisted by two human rights officers from the Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), as well as four local interpreters.
4.
The objective of the visit was to provide advisory services and technical assistance
to the national mechanism for the prevention of torture and other cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment of Armenia (hereinafter referred to as ”the NPM”), in
accordance with article 11 (b), subparagraphs (ii) and (iii), of the Optional Protocol. The
visit was intended to assist in strengthening the capacity and the mandate of the NPM, and
in the evaluation of the needs and the means necessary to strengthen the protection of
persons deprived of their liberty from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment in Armenia. To that end, this report sets out recommendations and
observations to the State Party, in accordance with article 11 (b), subparagraph (iv), of the
Optional Protocol.
5.
During the visit, the SPT met with officials from the General Prosecutor’s Office,
Ministry of Healthcare, the Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs of the National
Assembly, Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Police, Special Investigation Service, Ministry of Defense, Military Police, and the
State Migration Service of the Territorial Management Ministry. It also met with
representatives of the three public monitoring groups, as well as an additional civil society
organization (Annex I).
6.
Since one of the main reasons for the visit was to provide the NPM with advisory
services and technical assistance, a number of meetings were held with the members and
staff of the NPM, i.e. both the Department for the Prevention of Torture and Violence of the
Human Rights Defender’s Office as well as the Expert Council on the Prevention of
Torture and Violence (hereinafter referred to as “Expert Council”). The aim of these
meetings was to discuss the NPM’s working methods and to explore ways of strengthening
and increasing its effectiveness, as explained below. To observe how the NPM applies its
working methodology, the SPT also visited, together with the NPM, three places of
detention (Annex II).1 The places of deprivation of liberty were chosen by the NPM. During
the joint visits, members of the SPT adopted the role of observers, while members of the
NPM led the visits.
7.
The SPT wishes to express its gratitude to the authorities of the Government for the
facilitation of the visit, in compliance with OPCAT obligations, and the assistance extended
in arranging the necessary meetings.
1
The NPM visited the Nubarashen Psychiatric Hospital, the Nubarashen Penitentiary Institution, and
the Yerevan Detention Facility.
3