“EU’s expectations are the following: we want the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia and his staff to undertake their role stronger, as a national preventive mechanism, and have a louder voice, and civil society to complete them by having serious participation in observer missions in penitentiaries,” announced the head of EU Delegation to Armenia, Piotr Switalski, during the workshop dedicated to human rights defense in penitentiaries.
He praised the work of Armenian NGOs: “I am impressed by the level of their professional researches. They have done serious work connected with the existing situation in penitentiaries. Taking into consideration the new situation in the country, we expect reforms in this field.”
As characterized by the Ambassador, the proposals of the HRD connected with human rights in penitentiaries should be executed more effectively: “For example, the situation was oppressive five years ago, now we expect more serious execution of HRD proposals by the authorities. We have had discussions both with the former and the present governments of the Republic of Armenia: there is a serious consciousness that deep and constructive reforms should be carried out in the Republic of Armenia. I am sure that they will be brought to life.”
Then Piotr Switalski assured that the cooperation between the HRDs of Armenia and Georgia is important to the EU (the HRD of Georgia is in Yerevan on a business visit): “We expect them to exchange with experience more often. EU promotes such connections, which are useful to both countries.”
Luiza SUKIASYAN
