HRD proposes involving convicts in prison construction

Armenia’s Human Rights Defender submitted a number of proposals to the Justice Minister. In particular, he proposes involving convicts in construction of new penal institutions, given the fact that the concept of development of Armenia’s criminal-executive system envisages infrastructure reforms of the criminal-executive system, according to the press service of the Human Rights Defender.

In connection with construction of new penal institutions, Human Rights Defender stressed once again the need to work out such measures that will ensure the protection of rights of disabled convicts and prisoners. In particular, it is necessary to supply penal institutions with wheelchairs and build wheelchair ramps.

The Human Right Defender also raised the issue of envisaging respective measures for the protection of rights of prisoners who have the tendency of self-mutilation or go on hunger strike. In addition, he expressed concern that the decline in the number of penal institutions’ employees as a result of reforms may increase corruption risks.