The main provisions of the RA Law “On probation and state probation service’’ are under discussion

On 21 October a discussion was held — with the participation of Suren Krmoyan, Deputy RA Minister of Justice and Naira Avetisyan, Deputy Head of the CoE Office in Yerevan — covering the main provisions of the RA Law “On probation and state probation service’’ and the preliminary expert opinion on it presented by the Council of Europe. In his welcoming speech addressed to the participants Suren Krmoyan stressed the importance of the discussion held and noted that the draft Law is undergoing amendments, and reasonable recommendations made by the participants during discussions will definitely be included in the final version of the Law. In addition, the Deputy RA Minister of Justice expressed the willingness from the part of the RA MoJ to ensure close co-operation with NGOs and concerned state authorities also in efforts aimed at introduction of the probation service. Naira Avetisyan, Deputy Head of the CoE Office in Yerevan — addressing the programme “Support to establishment of probation service in Armenia” — highlighted the pilot projects being introduced within the framework of the mentioned programme, which, according to her, will enable to understand the extent to which the best practices introduced in different countries in the area of probation service, as well as their peculiarities are applicable in the Republic of Armenia. The key function of the probation service will be ensuring the enforcement of alternative measures of restraint and improving the application of alternative punishments in the Republic of Armenia, which will enable to significantly reduce the overcrowding in penitentiary institutions as well. During the discussion Emil Margaryan, representative of the Ministry of Justice presented the main provisions, key issues, concepts and principles covered by the RA Law “On probation and state probation service’’, which was followed by a question and answer session of the representatives of stakeholders participating in the discussion.