On 9 September the representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, members of the newly established Public Monitoring Group of police detention and the Council of Europe experts held discussions on national and international standards, oversight mechanisms, and the role of public monitoring in safeguarding the rights of persons deprived of their liberty.

The ongoing reform of the police sector efforts reached a new milestone on 18 April 2025 with the adoption of amendments to the Law “On Holding Detained and Arrested Persons, developed with the support of the Council of Europe. The amendments include mechanisms for strengthened safeguards for detainees, particularly regarding medical examinations, and expanding obligations for documenting injuries and complaints of ill-treatment, in line with the Istanbul Protocol. The establishment of the Public Monitoring Group is part of a broader approach to prevention through monitoring, documentation, and enhanced accountability of state institutions in combating ill-treatment.

At the meeting the participants explored international human rights obligations, the domestic legal framework on detainee rights, and the practical responsibilities of the Public Monitoring Group. Particular attention was paid to implementing the recommendations of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, improving infrastructure and facilities, and drawing lessons from international best practice.

This event took place within the framework of the Council of Europe project Further Strengthening the Protection of the Rights of Persons Deprived of Liberty , implemented under the Action Plan for Armenia 2023–2026.