PRESS RELEASE
Council of Europe Spokesperson and Press Division
Ref: 384a04
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internet:
Anti-torture committee publishes its first report on Armenia
Strasbourg, 28.07.2004 – The Council of Europe’s Committee for the
Prevention of Torture (CPT) has today published its first report on Armenia,
following a visit to the country in October 2002.
In the report, the CPT concludes that people detained by the police in
Armenia run a significant risk of being ill-treated. The Commitee therefore
recommends that a high priority be given to professional training for police
officers, including in modern investigation techniques.
The report also draws attention to overcrowding in prisons and the shortage
of activities for inmates. Furthermore, the CPT calls for urgent steps to
improve the conditions in which people sentenced to life imprisonment are
being held at Nubarashen Prison, and highlights major deficiencies at
Nubarashen Republican Psychiatric Hospital.
In their official responses to the report, the Armenian authorities refer to
measures which have been taken to improve police training and to step up the
control of police activities. The authorities also announce a reduction of
the prison population, following the adoption of a new Criminal Code, and
highlight measures aimed at improving conditions at the Nubarashen
facilities.
The CPT report and the responses of the Armenian Government have been made
public with the agreement of the Armenian authorities. They are all
available on the CPT’s website:
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A political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe works to
promote democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops common
responses to social, cultural and legal challenges in its 45 member states.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress