Karen Karapetyan and Hugh Chetwynd discuss issues on assistance to the Penitentiary and Probation Services

Deputy Minister of Justice Karen Karapetyan met with Executive Secretary of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) Hugh Chetwynd.

The Deputy Minister expressed gratitude for the expert and technical support provided by the Council of Europe to the Penitentiary and Probation Services of the Ministry of Justice. He mentioned that Armenia has adopted the approach of making the transition from a punitive policy to restorative policy, attaching importance to the reintegration of persons deprived of liberty into society.

CPT Executive Secretary Hugh Chetwynd highlighted the importance of Armenia's transparent policy and expressed gratitude to the Armenian side for agreeing to publish the report on Armenia prepared after the CPT visit to Armenia in September 2023. The report was positively assessed by the CPT, and the Government's efforts aimed at improving the conditions of detention of persons deprived of liberty, safeguarding the rights, and bringing the legislative and institutional framework in line with CPT standards, were highlighted.

At the end of the meeting, the parties discussed the ways for further co-operation within the scope of the issues arising from the report.