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 together all relevant actors, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health, Penitentiary Service, and the Prison Medicine Centre, together with national and international experts, to agree on specific measures for people deprived of liberty.

The discussions underlined the importance of cooperation across agencies in ensuring timely and effective healthcare for detainees. Drawing on a recent assessment report on medical confidentiality in Armenian penitentiary institutions, participants reviewed current practices, identified challenges such as breaches of confidentiality and inconsistent procedures, and acknowledged positive developments in oversight and compliance. Council of Europe experts shared practical recommendations to strengthen legal safeguards, improve communication between institutions, and ensure staff are trained to handle sensitive medical information responsively.

Participants emphasised that improving prison healthcare is not only a question of policy but also requires tangible action on the ground. This includes secure information-sharing platforms, establishing clear procedures, and providing ongoing capacity-building for prison healthcare teams.

This event was part 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.