The Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan had meetings in Strasbourg with the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic, the Director General of the Human Rights and Rule of Law Christos Giakoumopoulos, as well as the Director General of Democracy Snežana Samardžić-Marković. Discussions were also held with other institutions of the Council of Europe, such as Committee for the Prevention of Torture, Department for the Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, etc.
During the meetings issues related to the prevention of torture and other forms of ill-treatment, mental health problems and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, women and children in Armenia were discussed. Arman Tatoyan presented the issues recorded in these spheres and ways of their solution. Particularly, it was noted that a gradual release mechanism should be entrenched for the persons deprived of their liberty, as well as a system of early conditional release should be developed. The current situation in psychiatric organizations, as well as the ways of development of community-based services and alternative methods of treatment were discussed. There were also discussed the issues that women face because of stereotypes and misperception of their role in society and country.
During the meetings, recently established practice of the Defender on intervening as a third party in the European Court of Human Rights, providing special positions to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on the execution of ECtHR judgments were also highlighted.
The Council of Europe high-ranking officials especially emphasized the high quality of cooperation with the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, the high professionalism in the raised issues. The joint work with the Defender aimed at continuously improving the human rights system in Armenia was highly appreciated.
At the end of the meetings new agreements for the further cooperation were reached, as well as additional commitments of joint work were made.