The work of the Human Rights Defender in penitentiary institutions is extremely important from the perspective of guaranteeing the human rights. This was highlighted by the Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan during the seminar on “International standards on Women Offenders: Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners” organized on 14-15 April in Tsaghkadzor.
"Ensuring the rights of women in detention is one of the main directions of our work. Problems in this field require consistent work. The principle of do no harm and guiding by professional approach are the key to achieving results. The attitude towards women is especially important considering their important role in the society and the importance of having a decent place", said the Defender.
Representatives from the Human Rights Defender’s Office and the RA Ministry of Justice, penitentiary staff members, members of the public monitoring group of the penitentiary institutions of the RA Ministry of Justice, lawyers and journalists participated in the training organized within “Supporting the criminal justice reform and combating ill-treatment and impunity in Armenia” project funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe.
During the event, with the participation of the Council of Europe international experts John Wadham and George Tugushi, the issues with regard to women prisoners with caretaking responsibilities, living conditions of pregnant and breastfeeding women prisoners, specific food and hygiene needs, education and meaningful activities of juvenile female prisoners, specifications of contact with the outside world and other issues have been discussed.
The participants of the seminar raised practical issues and discussed their possible solutions with the international experts.