A workshop focusing on the documentation of alleged ill-treatment cases in police detention facilities was organised on 5 June. The presence of the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and key representatives from various governmental bodies including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Investigation Committee, and the Human Rights Defender’s Office, as well as relevant NGOs emphasized even more the broad interest and common concern regarding the treatment of individuals in police custody.
The aim of the workshop was to align Armenia's practices with international standards, ensuring that every sign of alleged ill-treatment is meticulously recorded and investigated. The workshop's agenda was comprehensive and built around international standards in the documentation of alleged ill-treatment cases. Experts and participants discussed the protocols and best practices that should be adopted to ensure thorough and transparent documentation.
In addition, the Council of Europe consultants presented specific recommendations for establishing an effective system to document such cases within police detention facilities. They proposed to create an independent and transparent mechanism that would systematically record and address allegations of ill-treatment. By adopting international standards and implementing a structured documentation system Armenia aims to strengthen its human rights framework for the protection of individuals in police custody from any form of ill-treatment.
The Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Sargsyan expressed gratitude to the Council of Europe for its support to the Ministry. She emphasised that this collaborative effort is a significant step towards ensuring justice and dignity for all detainees in Armenia.
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.