Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg began a 3-day contact visit in the Republic of Armenia. He will discuss human rights issues with Armenia's highest authorities, including the President, Mr. Robert Khocharian, the Foreign Minister, Mr. Vartan Oskanian, the President of the National Assembly, Mr. Tigran Torosian, the Minister of Justice, Mr. David Harutiunian, the President of the Supreme Court, Mr. Hovik Manoukian, and the Prosecutor General, Mr. Aghvan Hovsepian.
Commissioner Hammarberg is also holding talks with the Human Rights Ombudsman, Mr. Armen Harutiunian and representatives of civil society, and will visit temporary and permanent detention centres as well as psychiatric establishments.
On the first day of his visit, Mr Hammarberg addressed the 27th Conference of Council of Europe Ministers of Justice held in Yerevan, and argued for increased attention to the protection of victims of terrorism.