Further strengthening the protection of the rights of persons in detention in Armenia
The Project, financed by the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023 -2026, is the continuation of the organisation’s support provided to the Armenian authorities and builds upon results achieved under the Project “Enhancing Health care and Human Rights Protection in Prisons in Armenia “ (2019-2022) and Project “Strengthening the Protection of the Rights of Persons in Detention” (2023-2024). It aims at deepening the areas of intervention and to assist Armenian authorities to further enhance penitentiary, police and prison healthcare reforms.
The Project supports the Armenian authorities in their efforts to further enhance penitentiary, police and prison healthcare reforms, and the protection of the human rights of persons deprived of liberty. Through this initiative, the Council of Europe provides strategic guidance and practical assistance at both the policy and operational levels. This support is designed to help the authorities achieve their penitentiary and police reform objectives and foster meaningful changes in institutional practices, ensuring alignment with international human rights standards and best practices.
The Project is implemented in close cooperation with Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Penitentiary Service, Prison Medicine Centre, Centre for the Implementation of Legal Education and Rehabilitation Programmes, as well as other stakeholders including the civil society organisations.
The Project focuses on following priority areas:
- Further strengthening the institutional and staff capacities of the Prison Medicine Centre to ensure quality healthcare and multiagency cooperation within the penitentiary system
- Enhancing the operational capacity of the Penitentiary Service to create rehabilitative environment for the persons deprived of liberty, including for vulnerable groups
- Improving the capacities of the Centre for Implementation of Legal Education and Rehabilitation Programs
- Further strengthening the effective remedies and safeguards for the protection of human rights in prisons
- Improving safeguards against ill-treatment, the regulatory framework and data protection of individuals deprived of their liberty in line with European standards
The key guiding documents for this Project are the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR), as well as the findings and the recommendations of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or punishment (CPT) and the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).
The duration of the Project is set at 24 months, and it will be completed on 31 December 2026 with an overall budget of 600,000 Euros.
Project documentation
Useful information
Building stronger safeguards for the rights of persons deprived of liberty through enhanced monitoring dimensions
Professionals responsible for monitoring places of deprivation of liberty to strengthen their knowledge, practical skills, and inter-institutional cooperation in safeguarding the rights of persons deprived of liberty during a two-day capacity-building activity held in Tsaghkadzor on 20–21 July....
Police Officers Strengthen Capacity on Personal Data Protection
Tsaghkadzor, Armenia | 14-15 May, 23-24 June More than 50 police officers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia enhanced their knowledge and practical skills on personal data protection and privacy rights through a specialised capacity-building programme supported by...
Peer Education on Drug Prevention, a new approach for Building Safer Prison Environments
Peer education in drugs prevention is a new concept introduced for the first time in Armenian penitentiary institutions through a bespoke Training of Trainers (ToT) programme focused on harm reduction, and rehabilitation. The initiative is part of broader efforts to promote a health-oriented and...
Council of Europe strengthens collaboration with Armenia in promoting the autonomy of persons with mental health issues
As part of healthcare reforms and Armenia–Council of Europe cooperation, an Armenian delegation led by Deputy Minister Armen Gasparyan visited leading mental health services in northern France, with a particular focus on prison healthcare. The visit provided practical insights into French...
From Legislation to Practice: Ambulance Doctors and Police Staff Strengthen Capacities to Ensure Proper Documentation of Ill-treatment in Detention
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...
Council of Europe supports vocational opportunities for rehabilitation of inmates in Armenia
A meaningful step towards strengthening the rehabilitation of inmates was marked today with the opening of a door and window production workshop at the Artik Penitentiary Institution. The opening event of this first workshop is a showcase of the Council of Europe’s continued support for Armenia’s...
Medical staff in prisons and medical confidentiality and data protection
The medical staff of the Prison Medicine Centre has refreshed their knowledge on medical confidentiality and inter-agency cooperation in penitentiary healthcare, equipping prison doctors with practical tools and updated knowledge aligned with international standards. The training was based on a...
New Welding Centre Opens at Sevan Prison, Strengthening Armenia’s Shift Toward Rehabilitation
The opening of a new workshop for the inmates in Sevan Prions, renovated with the support of the Council of Europe, marked an important step forward in Armenia’s ongoing penitentiary reforms. The modern facility, equipped with up-to-date machinery and training tools, is a showcase of the shift...
Armenia Launches New Dialogue Platform to Strengthen Coordination in the Probation and Penitentiary Sector
The launch of the inter-agency Commission for the Discussion of Issues Related to the Probation and Penitentiary Sector, marks a major milestone in institutionalising dialogue across its criminal justice system, ensuring structured cooperation, and creating a unified platform for addressing...
Council of Europe Supports Telemedicine expansion in Armenian Prisons
Armenia has made significant progress in expanding the use of telemedicine across its penitentiary healthcare system, ensuring more equitable and efficient access to medical services for persons deprived of liberty. Through the dedicated efforts of national health and justice authorities and with...
Reinforced capacity of Probation Services from Moldova and Armenia for managing violent offenders
The first progress meeting on the pilot-implementation of the new Offender Behaviour Programme (OBP) for reducing violent behaviour of offenders brought together Moldovan and Armenian probation counsellors on 22 October 2025, for sharing their experiences and good practices, and using the lessons...
Enhancing Group Therapy Practices in Armenian Penitentiary Institutions
A six-day training in Tsaghkadzor strengthened the capacity of psychologists and social workers from Armenia’s penitentiary institutions to plan and facilitate group therapy sessions that support the reintegration of inmates. Supported by the Council of Europe, the programme engaged national and...
Council of Europe Supports First Accredited Training of Trainers for Prison Healthcare Professionals in Armenia
A specialised and nationally accredited training course for prison healthcare staff was successfully developed and implemented for the first time in Armenia through close collaboration between the Prison Medicine Centre and the National Institute of Health. This pioneering initiative represents a...
Round Table in Yerevan Explores Ways to Improve cooperation on Medical Confidentiality in Prisons
A high-level round table in Yerevan led to concrete commitments to strengthen prison healthcare though better information exchange and stronger protection of medical confidentiality. This is the first round table of this kind, jointly organised with the Human Rights Defender’s Office, bringing...
Armenia Advances in Monitoring and Human Rights Safeguards in Police Detention
Armenian authorities, represented by Ministry of Internal Affairs, and members of the newly established Public Monitoring Group of police detention, together with Council of Europe experts, discussed national and international standards, oversight mechanisms, and the role of public monitoring in...
Council of Europe raises awareness on the role of health professionals in upholding human rights
Council of Europe in Armenia celebrated the International Day of Healthcare professionals with an event dedicated to recognising the vital contributions of healthcare professionals to public health and well-being including in the places of deprivation of liberty. Held over two days, 20 and 21...
Kick-off of two new follow-up Projects in Armenia “Further strengthening the protection of the rights of persons in detention” and “Further strengthening the Probation Service”
The first joint Steering Committee meeting of the Projects “Further strengthening the Protection of the Rights of Persons in Detention” and “Further strengthening the Probation Service in Armenia” was held on 13 March 2025 to mark the start of these two Projects. Building upon the results of the...
Local Consultancy Services in the areas of police and prisons in Armenia
The Council of Europe and it’s office in Armenia, within the framework of the Project “Further Strengthening the Protection of the Rights of Persons Deprived of Liberty”, are launching a competitive bidding procedure to select local consultants for the provision of intellectual services. Areas of...
European Prison Rules
CPDL Highlights
