Strengthening the Protection of the Rights of Persons in Detention in Armenia

Building upon the results achieved from the implementation of the Project “Enhancing healthcare and human rights protection in prisons in Armenia”, the Project “Strengthening the Protection of the Rights of Persons in Detention” financed by Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023 – 2026 assists the Armenian authorities to further enhance penitentiary reform and prison health care, and the protection of the human rights of persons deprived of liberty. The Council of Europe is providing support at policy and operational levels assisting authorities to accomplish penitentiary reform goals and trigger changes in practices throughout the prison system especially after the adoption of the Criminal Code, Criminal Procedural Code as well as Penitentiary Code in June 2022.
The Project is implemented in close cooperation with the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health, Prison Medicine Centre, as well as other stakeholders including the civil society organisations.
The Project focuses on following priority areas:

Further enhancing the institutional capacity of the Prison Medicine Centre in order to provide quality health care in the penitentiary system;
Further consolidating the knowledge and skills of medical and non-medical staff on different topics on provision of health care;
Strengthening the capacities of prison staff to apply tools and rehabilitation programmes for persons deprived of liberty;
Harmonizing the regulatory framework on human rights with the new Penitentiary Code.

The key Conventions 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 (CPT) and the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).
The duration of the Project was set at 24 months, and it was completed on 31 December 2024, with an overall budget of 550 000 Euros.

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Back Mental health is a universal human right: Armenian penitentiary system commemorates World Mental Health Day

@ Council of Europe

On 9 October 2023, the Abovyan penitentiary institution in Armenia hosted an awareness-raising session to mark World Mental Health Day, drawing attention to the significance of mental well-being within the prison system. This event marked a step towards acknowledging challenges to and supporting mental health in the context of incarceration while educating and supporting both staff and inmates. The attending Deputy Minister of Health underscored the government's commitment to raising mental health awareness in the criminal justice system.

A pivotal aspect of the event was the presentation of the manual “Specialized Skills and Knowledge for Psychologists and Psychiatrists Working in Penitentiary Institutions”. Developed by Council of Europe consultants, this manual provides essential guidance to mental health professionals, empowering them to effectively address the unique mental health challenges present in such environments and enhance the quality of care provided.

A part of the event was dedicated to providing detainees with vital guidance on looking after their own mental health while in prison. This guidance helped equip them with practical strategies and skills to cope with the challenges of incarceration, promoting resilience, self-awareness, and mental strength while contributing to a healthier and more positive penitentiary environment.

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

Yerevan, Armenia 9 October 2023