In March and April 2026, more than 50 ambulance doctors, alongside nearly 50 police staff, participated in four intensive training sessions in focused on the documentation of torture and other forms of ill-treatment in detention facilities.

The training was particularly timely following the adoption, in October 2025, of the Decree of the Minister of Health, which introduced a new protocol and standardised form for documenting medical examinations related to alleged cases of ill-treatment in police detention facilities. This provides a basis foundation for improving the recording of injuries and health conditions observed during medical examinations of detainees and reinforces safeguards against torture and ill-treatment.

Over the course of the training sessions, participants—both ambulance doctors and police staff—enhanced their knowledge and practical skills to ensure accurate, ethical, and consistent documentation of ill-treatment. The sessions covered international standards on access to medical care in detention, including the principles of the Istanbul Protocol on the effective documentation and investigation of torture, as well as the ethical obligations of medical professionals such as confidentiality and medical independence.

Through expert-led presentations and practical case work, participants learned to conduct interviews with detainees, identify and document physical and psychological evidence of ill-treatment, and correctly complete the newly introduced medical documentation form. The training also emphasised the role of police professionals in facilitating independent medical examinations and highlighted risks of ill-treatment during the initial stages of deprivation of liberty.

As a result of these interactive sessions, both ambulance doctors and police staff strengthened their capacity to uphold international human rights standards and implement national procedures for safeguarding detainees. The activity illustrates the importance of pairing legislative reforms with hands-on capacity building to ensure that protections against torture and ill-treatment are effectively translated into practice.

This event is part of the Council of Europe’s support within the framework of the Project “Further 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.