The recent announcement by the Human Rights Defender (MIP) regarding the death of a detainee on the 20th day of a hunger strike raises urgent questions about systemic accountability and transparency within Armenia’s penal institutions. The statement, which came only after the individual’s death, highlights significant gaps in the mechanisms meant to protect the rights and well-being of those deprived of liberty. However, the absence of detailed information about the detainee, their motives, and the circumstances surrounding their death exacerbates public concern and erodes trust in the relevant institutions.
The Human Rights Defender’s office acknowledged receiving numerous alerts in recent weeks regarding persistent issues in how hunger strikes are managed within Armenia’s correctional facilities. Among the critical problems raised were delays in transferring detainees requiring inpatient medical care to appropriate facilities, including the “Prisoners’ Hospital” or other healthcare institutions. These delays, according to the Defender, have often led to irreversible consequences, such as the tragic case of the detainee whose death has now become a focal point for scrutiny.
The MIP emphasized that the state bears full responsibility for ensuring the rights and safety of individuals under its jurisdiction. This includes taking all necessary measures to prevent rights violations and thoroughly investigating incidents of death in custody. The failure to act promptly and decisively in such cases reflects deeper systemic shortcomings that need immediate redress.
The lack of public transparency in the Defender’s announcement further undermines its effectiveness. Without disclosing the identity of the detainee or the reasons behind their hunger strike, the statement leaves unanswered critical questions that could otherwise inform public discourse and foster accountability. Moreover, the omission of any mention of specific responsible parties or measures for ensuring justice deepens skepticism regarding the efficacy of current oversight mechanisms.
This incident is not isolated. The Defender has repeatedly highlighted the troubling frequency with which detainees resort to self-harm, including ingesting foreign objects, as a form of protest within correctional facilities. These acts signal profound distress and frustration over unmet grievances, underscoring systemic failures in addressing prisoners’ concerns through legitimate channels. The accessibility of harmful objects to detainees further reveals lapses in institutional control and preventive measures.
The Human Rights Defender’s office has consistently raised these issues in public forums and policy discussions, including in the 2023 annual report of the National Prevention Mechanism. Despite such efforts, tangible improvements remain elusive, suggesting a need for more robust and enforceable reforms. Recommendations for addressing these systemic issues have been submitted to the relevant authorities, but their implementation requires greater urgency and accountability.
The Defender’s delayed announcement regarding the detainee’s death serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of institutional inefficiency and inaction. The absence of timely intervention not only results in preventable tragedies but also weakens public confidence in the very structures meant to safeguard fundamental rights.
This case calls for a comprehensive review of Armenia’s correctional system, with a focus on ensuring transparency, accountability, and the protection of human rights. Authorities must prioritize proactive measures, such as establishing clear protocols for handling hunger strikes, enhancing medical access for detainees, and implementing preventive mechanisms against self-harm. Public reporting on these measures and their outcomes is essential for rebuilding trust and demonstrating genuine commitment to reform.
Ultimately, this tragedy underscores the urgent need for systemic change to uphold the dignity and rights of those under state custody. It is a call to action for policymakers, human rights advocates, and society at large to demand accountability and push for reforms that can prevent future tragedies. Only through such collective efforts can Armenia move toward a more just and humane penal system.