More than 50 police officers in Armenia strengthened their practical understanding of personal data protection and privacy rights during specialised Council of Europe-supported training sessions held during May and June in Tsaghkadzor.

This specialised capacity-building programme focused on strengthening the application of European human rights standards in relation to the lawful and proportionate processing of personal data, confidentiality of communications, and the protection of the right to private life in law enforcement activities.

The sessions introduced officers to international standards on personal data protection, relevant case law of the European Court of Human Rights, data security, and the challenges linked to surveillance and digital technologies in policing. Particular attention was given to the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, and data minimisation in operational contexts, while examining systemic challenges related to personal data protection in Armenia.

Through practical case studies and real-world scenarios, police officers strengthened their ability to assess the legality of data processing, identify risks related to sensitive personal data, and apply human rights safeguards in everyday police work.

The training further contributed to strengthening more accountable, transparent, and rights-based policing practices in Armenia. This is particularly relevant as police work increasingly involves the collection, exchange and use of sensitive personal data. Strengthening safeguards in this area is important not only for protecting individuals’ rights and building public trust in law enforcement, but also for supporting Armenia’s broader reform efforts in the context of the visa liberalisation.

These events are 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.