Torture prevention in Armenia

On November 14, 2006 Armenia and the European Union adopted the
European Neighborhood Policy Action Plan. This memorandum will play an important role for raising the level of human rights protection in Armenia. The implementation of the Optional protocol to UN Convention against Torture in Armenia is also included within the agenda of the action plan.

On May 31st, the National Assembly of Armenia ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). Armenia is the second country of the South Caucasus which has ratified the treaty. Georgia ratified the Protocol on 5 August 2005 and Azerbaijan signed it.

As a result of the effective cooperation of civil society and governmental structures, Armenia has joined the processes of a very important international document.

The OPCAT is establishing visiting mechanisms at the national and international level for regular visits to the closed institution. There are two monitoring groups which currently exist in Armenia and are implementing monitoring efforts in some of the closed institutions that belong to the Ministry of Justice and the National Police. The Ombudsman of Armenia has the right to unannounced accessibility to all closed institutions.

Since May 2005, Civil Society Institute has been implementing the campaign on ratification and implementation of the OPCAT. As a part of the campaign there have been several seminars, conferences, round tables and discussions conducted regarding the OPCAT including participation of representatives from NGOs, international organizations and governmental structures.