Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 9 / Trend , E.Ostapenko/
The OSCE report estimated efforts to bring Armenian penitentiaries and detention centres into line with international human rights standards, but also noted the necessity to improve the treatment of the detainees, according to an OSCE-supported report released today.
The annual report presents the results of monitoring of pre-trial detention centres and penitentiary institutions conducted in 2008 by the Group of Public Observers established under the Justice Ministry. The report assesses healthcare, sanitary conditions, food quality and treatment of detainees.
"Public monitoring helps to ensure a transparent and accountable penitentiary system. The OSCE Office hopes that the recommendations provided in the report will serve as a complementary source for the government in its efforts to reform the penitentiary system," said Shahriniso Najmetdinova, the Human Rights Officer at the OSCE Office in Yerevan.
The Group made more than 350 recommendations on how the shortcomings identified should be addressed both through reforms to the system and institutions.
Areas of concern include overcrowding due to ineffective parole procedures. The report also recommends that psychological and social specialists should be included in the process.
The report was prepared and published with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan in partnership with the Open Society Institute Law and Health Initiative.
Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at [email protected]