CoE report: Inter-prisoner violence, informal prisoner hierarchy, luxurious conditions for some inmates in Armenia
The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) issued on Wednesday a new report on Armenian places of detention, summing up data based on its periodic visit to the country in December 2019.
The report published on the official website of the organization, welcomed some positive developments in the penitentiary system, however, it noted with grave concern that some of its long-standing recommendations concerning the legal safeguards for persons in police custody, the material conditions, regime and health care in prisons, as well as staffing levels and legal safeguards in psychiatric establishments, remain to be implemented.
2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Armenia
Executive Summary
Armenia’s constitution provides for a parliamentary republic with a unicameral legislature, the National Assembly (parliament). The prime minister, elected by parliament, heads the government; the president, also elected by parliament, largely performs a ceremonial role. During 2018 parliamentary elections, the My Step coalition, led by Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, won 70 percent of the vote and an overwhelming majority of seats in parliament. According to the assessment of the international election observation mission under the umbrella of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the parliamentary elections were held with respect for fundamental freedoms.