United Press International
June 21 2008

Armenian officials to discuss protocol

YEREVAN, Armenia, June 21

Armenia will host a conference Monday in its capital, Yerevan, to
discuss the U.N. protocol against torture and other inhumane
punishments.

The conference, organized by the non-profit human rights group
Armenian Helsinki Committee, is an effort to provide recommendations
for implementing a framework for the U.N. convention against torture
and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatments or punishments, the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe reported.

Officials say representatives at the conference will discuss the
protocol and the best way to integrate its design into policies and
practices.

Top officials from the Armenian government and non-governmental
organizations are expected to discuss "how to improve public control
over penal institutions and international experience with protocol
application, particularly with respect to involving civil society,"
the release said.

Armenia joined the U.N. protocol in September 2006.