On June 29, the RA Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan met in Geneva with Secretary of the UN Committee against Torture Mr. Patrice Gilbert.
During the meeting the parties focused on the issues, related to prevention of torture and other types of ill-treatment in detention facilities of the Republic of Armenia, in particular the necessity of improving the conditions of detention of persons, deprived from liberty. They stressed the need of reformation of the state policy on the matter, as well as discussed the relevant role of the Human Rights Defender.
Arman Tatoyan expressed his willingness to actively cooperate with the UN Committee against Torture as well as with the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in composing relevant reports in appropriate standards, and in promoting implementation of recommendations to be mentioned in such reports. It was also stressed that at the legislation level and in practice it is necessary to develop the capacities and to strengthen the independence of the Ombudsman's institute as a national preventive mechanism.
The parties highlighted the need of active participation of the Human Rights Defender in the meetings of the Committee against Torture, and as well as in preparation of relevant reports. During the meeting they also underlined the necessity of active cooperation with civil society organizations and mass media in the process of prevention of ill-treatment in the places of detention in general.