Ombudsman Addresses Police Protection Of Human Rights

OMBUDSMAN ADDRESSES POLICE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

TERT.AM
17:35 ~U 06.03.13

The Armenian Ombudsman’s Office has issued a report focusing on the
situation of human rights in the police sector.

The document has addressed the following shortcomings in the police
activities.

– Investigation and inquest bodies often subjected individuals
to an inhuman and degrading treatment in an effort to extort testimony;

– Individuals detained or taken to police stations were often
denied the right to have a lawyer;

– In 2012, police officers disallowed the installation of tents
at peaceful rallies (putting up one tent is considered lawful);

– The police have failed to pay due attention to the distribution
of bribes at elections and did not take proper measures towards
resolving such cases and holding those guilty accountable;

– The Passport and Visa Department and its regional and
district subdivisions often violated the required timeframes for
issuing passports to the Armenian citizens;

– Citizens often complained about disrespectful attitude by
the police;

– Problems were revealed in the procedures of recognizing and
using the convention travel document issued to refugees;

The finding further addressed positive developments, including:

– The police have essentially and significantly improved their
conduct at peaceful rallies;

– In 2012, police officers were in many cases held accountable
for violating the law;

– Pursuant to an instruction by the chief of police, the fines
for violating the traffic rules are no longer paid on the spot;

– Surveillance cameras were installed at different intersections
of Yerevan to ensure public security;

– Measures were taken to develop the activities of community
police subdivisions;

– Electronic passports with biometric data, and identification
cards have been effective on the territory of Armenia since June
1, 2012;

– To bring the refugee convention travel documents in compliance
with internationally accepted standards, the Armenian Police have
elaborated a bill proposing amendments to the Law on Refugees and
Asylum.