OSCE OFFICE ORGANIZES TRAINING ON ALTERNATIVE SENTENCING IN ARMENIA

Armenpress

YEREVAN, JULY 11, ARMENPRESS: A four-day training course for personnel
of the Armenian Justice Ministry’s division for the execution of
alternative punishment began on July 10 with the support of the OSCE
Office in Yerevan and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions
and Human Rights.

"The introduction and implementation of alternative sentencing
options is a serious step towards building a humanitarian system of
penal sanctions," said Silvia Pogolsa, human rights officer at the
OSCE Office.

"This course is an essential part of the criminal justice reform,
and will help provide basic knowledge and the skills to implement
alternative punishment."

Some 70 Justice Ministry staff, judges and prosecutors will discuss the
existing national legislation, alternative sanctions, the supervision
of conditional sentences, as well as international standards and best
practices. Rait Kuuse, Head of the Probation Division of the Estonian
Justice Ministry, will share his country’s experience in the field.

Increased awareness-raising and capacity building among justice
administration personnel was one of the recommendations of the
assessment on alternative sentencing in Armenia, supported and
implemented by the OSCE Office in 2005.

The division for the execution of alternative punishment under the
Justice Ministry was established in 2005, following the adoption of the
new criminal code which introduces an "alternative" sentencing option.

The organizers will prepare a report on key areas for improvement,
based on discussions at the training course and recommendations from
participants and experts.