LIFE PRISONERS WENT ON A HUNGER-STRIKE

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[08:05 pm] 01 November, 2006

About 30 life prisoners of "Noubarashen" Criminal penitentiary
institution have gone on hunger-strike since November 1. The Minister
of Justice confirmed the fact too. Several hours later the Ministry
made a statement, "On November 1 of the current year 24 prisoners
of Noubarashen Criminal penitentiary institution ceased their hunger
strike which they had started earlier that day".

The NGO "Pach-iravunk" protecting the rights of life prisoners has also
made a statement about the reasons of the hunger-strike. According
to the statement, after the resignation of the previous head of
the prison, Aram Sargsyan, and the appointment of the new one, Vahan
Margaryan, all the reforms aimed at creation of better life conditions
for the prisoners were eliminated.

According to the author, the newly appointed manager of the prison
stopped the education programs for the prisoners and the construction
works aimed at improving the conditions of life.

The prisoners required a meeting with NA Speaker Tigran Torosyan
and RA Minister of Justice David Haroutyunyan in order to be able to
represent their problems.

The NGO "Pach-iravunk" announced that there are prisoners who have
been imprisoned for a long time and have serious health problems;
the responsibility for their spoiled health falls on Vahan Margaryan
and those who appointed him.