Discussion on "Perspectives of penitentiary system reforms"

22/10/2019

Today a discussion on "Perspectives of penitentiary system reforms" took place with participation of Deputy Minister of Justice Srbuhi Galyan. Representatives of the Penitentiary System of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia, the staff of the Human Rights Defender, the members of observation group carrying out public monitoring in penitentiary institutions and bodies of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia, civil society and others participated in the event.

In her welcoming speech, Deputy Minister Galyan expressed her gratitude to the partner non-governmental organisations for organising the event, noting that these meetings are a unique platform for identifying the existing issues and proposing solutions for them.

Srbuhi Galyan informed the participants that the strategies of penitentiary and probation sectors are currently in the process of elaboration and, touching upon the priorities set forth in them, the Deputy Minister pointed out the provision of equal conditions for serving the punishment, improvement of the quality of medical service and improvement of social conditions of Penitentiary Service officers.

Summarising her speech, Srbuhi Galyan also noted that the objective concerns raised by the Office of the Human Rights Defender and the observation group carrying out monitoring in penitentiary institutions are also in the centre of attention of the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry is willing to achieve solution to the existing issues by joint efforts.

Afterwards, an earnest discussion was held with the participants of the meeting.

Let us note that the discussion was organised with the efforts of the Ministry of Justice, observation group carrying out monitoring in penitentiary institutions and Open Society Foundations — Armenia non-governmental organisation.