Based on the complaints addressed to the Human Rights Defender, as well as calls received by the hot line of the Human Rights Defender’s office, on February 4 by the assignment of Human Rights Defender a visit was conducted to Armavir penitentiary institution of the Ministry of Justice.
Private interviews have been carried out with persons deprived of liberty, including three persons on hunger strike, the detention conditions, as well as medical documents have been examined.
The representatives of Human Rights Defender have carried out private interviews with persons on hunger strike, as well as with Vagharshak Avetisyan, sentenced to life imprisonment.
During the private interview with Vagharshak Avetisyan, the latter informed that he didn’t agree with his sentence and that’s why he had started a hunger strike and refused to eat.
During the private interview he also mentioned that he wanted to receive a certain type of food which was discussed with the administration of the penitentiary institution and solved.
Besides the above-mentioned, Vagharshak Avetisya also raised the issue of the detention conditions, which has also been discussed with the administration of the penitentiary institution. They assure that the issue will be solved as soon as possible.
Vagharshak Avetisyan’s medical documents, as well as his medical card have been examined. It was recorded that in Vagharshak Avetisyan’s medical card there are everyday records on his health state made by the doctor. The issues with regard to his health condition and the medical supervision over it have been discussed with the medical staff of the penitentiary institution.
The medical staff provided clarifications to the representatives of Human Rights Defender that at present Vagharshak Avetisyan is in clear consciousness, responds to the questions correctly and in essence. There is no need for medication interference. It was clarified that Vagharshak Avetisyan is under the dynamic medical control by the medical department of the penitentiary institution.
Another person deprived of liberty, who started a hunger strike since the 1st of February 2019, raised an issue related to the review of his sentence. The Defender’s representatives clarified to the latter that the solution of the issue raised by him do not fall under the Defender’s mandate.
Another person, who started a hunger strike since the 4th of February 2019, raised issues concerning the early conditional release, as well as the organization of necessary medical examination and sufficient medical treatment in the medical institution preferred by him at his own expenses. In this regard, the person deprived of liberty has submitted a relevant application to the Human Rights Defender.
Persons on hunger strike have been informed about the negative effect on health as a result of refusing to eat.
Relevant official letters will be addressed to the RA Ministry of Justice regarding the issues raised by persons on hunger strike.
During the visit, private interviews were held with other persons deprived of liberty. The main part of the complaints concerned the possibility of reviewing the sentences, the medical assistance, the application of the Law on Amnesty, as well as the transfer from one penitentiary institution to another in order to continue serving the sentence.
Written application-complaints with regard to the part of the raised issues have been submitted to the Defender, and the other part of them have been discussed with the administration of the penitentiary institutions.
Within the Human Rights Defender’s competence, necessary steps prescribed by the law will be undertaken to solve the issues raised by persons deprived of liberty.