UN Committee against Torture starts consideration of Armenia’s third periodic report

11 May, 2012

The UN Committee against Torture this morning began its consideration of the third periodic report of Armenia on how it implements the provisions of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Introducing the report, Yeghishe Kirakosyan, Deputy Minister of Justice of Armenia, said in recent years, national legislation had been continuously brought into compliance with the Convention and other international instruments, says the statement posted on Committees website.

The amendment to the Criminal Code, before the Parliament now, brought the definition of torture into compliance with the Convention. Steps had been taken to improve the application of safeguards to persons deprived of liberty and in this sense the new Criminal Procedure Code was being elaborated. Significant investments were being made into the office of the human rights defender, which today was a valuable instrument for the protection of human rights in Armenia.

The problem of torture in penitentiary institutions had been solved and the focus now was on addressing poor building conditions and overcrowding. To ensure a positive impact in the fight against trafficking in persons, the Government had approved the establishment of the National Referral Mechanism for Trafficked Persons, a national framework for cooperation to protect and enhance the rights of trafficked persons.

Felice Gaer, Committee Expert who served as Rapporteur for the report of Armenia, noted the contradictions between progress achieved at the highest levels and the persistent problems of impunity, corruption and failure to prosecute police officers or public officials.

He raised the following issues : the detention and the access to legal safeguards; the definition of torture in compliance with the Convention against torture; the responsibility of public officials for torture and degrading treatment of punishment; and the 2011 statistics on prosecutions for domestic violence.

The next session on Armenia is scheduled for Friday.

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