Ombudsman is concerned about facts on torture cases (video)
On July 17-30, 2016 while dispersing political rallies in Yerevan by the police forces mass cases of tortures and ill-treatment were registered. “According to the words of our clients, different tools were used during torture; handcuffs were pressed, policemen tried to make people kiss their shoes, there was psychological pressure,” says Ara Gharagyozyan, advocate at “Against Legal Arbitrariness” NGO. Especially July 29 was full of torture cases. Citizens and journalists not only got burns, were beaten by the policemen, but were also taken to the police units. Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan comments, “Basic rights of those people weren’t ensured, and second, it wasn’t clear why those people were taken to the units. Use of special means was accompanied by gross violations of law.” According to the Ombudsman, a citizen is at risk of torture, when he or she appears in the police unit or under the powers of the investigative bodies. Though, according to the Criminal Code, hereafter torture is a criminally punishable act, but Ombudsman is displeased with the use of law, “Today we have insufficient practice, I consider it to be concerning. People must be held accountable for use of torture, so that it has preventive importance.” Family violence isn’t voiced much and is sometimes justified by the society. But it isn’t less cruel than any other type of violence. “Mariam Gevorgyan, during the period of 10 months, when she was married in Saint Petersburg, was subjected to numerous tortures, but her mother-in-law and husband almost didn’t carry punishment, as were granted amnesty,” says Zaruhi Hovhannisyan, PR manager of “Against Legal Arbitrariness” NGO. The situation will change, when Armenia adopts the law on prevention of family violence. Human rights activist Nina Karapetyants adds that Armenian prisons are also places for tortures. Prisoners are deprived of all human rights. Nubarashen prison is one of the most vulnerable. “Being in that building is a torture itself. Recently we have received information that the problem of overcrowding is again urgent. It is inhuman that prisoners don’t receive medical aid. For years we alarmed that the food is of law quality and prisoners couldn’t eat it and instead of solving the issue, they decided to reduce the food portions,” says Nina Karapetyants. She says that prisoner Hrachya Gevorgyan was also a victim of torture. “He underwent violence for several times and no one was held accountable for that. In the hospital for convicts he was injected substance, as a result of which he lost ability of walking and speaking.” A person is very often tortured by the law enforcement officers in order to get from him the desired testimony. HRD office offers a practical step to put an end to tortures in police units and investigative departments. It must be rejected to put self-confession testimony obtained as a result of violence on basis of a person's accusation. By the way, the UNO recognized June 26 as International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
