Author: Badalian Vardan

Armenian ombudsman: Authorities should resort more to alternatives to deprivation of liberty

Badalian Vardan
Panorama, Armenia
April 3 2020

The confirmed coronavirus infections among the employees of Vardashen Penitentiary in Yerevan rose serious concerns about persons deprived of their liberty, particularly those with underlying health conditions and the older persons, who are at-risk groups.

What does Human Rights Defender of Armenia Arman Tatoyan think on the matter and are any measures being taken to preserve their health or is it more appropriate to release them on bail, put them under house arrest or keep them in solitary confinement?

In response to Panorama.am’s question, the ombudsman said:

“The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment has recently published a statement of principles in Armenian concerning the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and submitted them to the relevant authorities to apply them.

The Committee for the Prevention of Torture said the relevant authorities should resort more to alternatives to deprivation of liberty, including commutation of sentences, early release and probation.

As regards the provision of health care, special attention will be required to the specific needs of detained persons with particular regard to vulnerable groups and/or at-risk groups, such as older persons and persons with pre-existing medical conditions. This includes, inter alia, screening for COVID-19 and pathways to intensive care as required. Further, detained persons should receive additional psychological support from staff at this time.

A number of international organizations have made similar calls.

In regard to the issue raised by you to release detained persons at-risk groups on bail, it should be noted that i is for the bodies conducting preliminary investigation or judicial proceedings in specific criminal cases to decide on the issue.”

The statement issued by the Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment read, in part: “As close personal contact encourages the spread of the virus, concerted efforts should be made by all relevant authorities to resort to alternatives to deprivation of liberty. Such an approach is imperative, in particular, in situations of overcrowding. Further, authorities should make greater use of alternatives to pre-trial detention, commutation of sentences, early release and probation; reassess the need to continue involuntary placement of psychiatric patients; discharge or release to community care, wherever appropriate, residents of social care homes; and refrain, to the maximum extent possible, from detaining migrants.” 

The state intends to provide children from low-income families with tablets and Internet connection

Badalian Vardan
Arminfo, Armenia
April 2 2020

ArmInfo. To organize the distance education process, the state will provide children from low-income families with tablets and Internet connection. This was  stated during the discussions in the Government of the Republic of  Armenia under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister of the Republic  of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, which were held with the aim of finding  solutions to the socio-economic problems arising from the  coronavirus.

According to the press service of the government, the Minister of  Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia,  Arayik Harutyunyan, proposed to implement such an initiative. In this  context, Prime Minister RA Nikol Pashinyan instructed Minister  Harutyunyan, together with the Ministry of High-Tech Industry, to  finalize the tools provided for in the proposal and submit them to  the government for consideration.

However, during the discussions, Pashinyan noted that in a crisis,  the government should revise the tools and speed of response to  investment proposals. , he said.  During the discussions, proposals and  ideas were presented regarding the development and promotion of  various economic areas. 

Reasons why Armenian supermarkets’ operation was banned

Badalian Vardan
News.am, Armenia
Reasons why Armenian supermarkets’ operation was banned Reasons why Armenian supermarkets’ operation was banned

18:37, 29.03.2020
                  

The Commandant of Armenia has decided to suspend the operation of nearly a dozen economic operators in Sisian, Goris, Armavir, Vanadzor and Yerevan, including branches of big chains of supermarkets and produce stores, as reported the Armenian Unified Information Network.

“The decision is based on the results of monitoring of the Health and Labor Inspection Body.

The inspection body recorded several violations of the guide approved under the instruction of the Commandant. In particular:

Most of the employees in direct contact with customers weren’t wearing face masks, there were no trashcans for used face mask (they were thrown in an open garbage can), there was no book for marking the employees’ temperatures and thermometer, the requirement for workplaces and for employees to maintain at least a 2-meter distance from each other, there were no wardrobes for uniforms.

The hotline for the Health and Labor Inspection Body is 8107.

The guide containing instructions for organizations is posted on the official website of the Health and Labor Inspection Body ().

Active monitoring continues. If violations are recorded, there may be liability measures,” the press release reads.

CIVILNET.Economic Impact of COVID-19: André Andonian

Badalian Vardan
CIVILNET.AM

20:38 

André Andonian, Managing Partner at McKinsey & Company Japan and Board Member of McKinsey & Company Inc. Global, spoke about the possible economic consequences of COVID-19 pandemic for the global economy.

André Andonian was one of the panelists at the online webinar “COVID-19: Challenging General Fear,” that was live-streamed on CivilNet.
 

What does it take to become judge in Armenia?

Badalian Vardan
News.am, Armenia
March 20 2020

15:17, 20.03.2020
                  

YEREVAN. – If a judge candidate in Armenia does not have a Master’s degree, he or she must have at least 15 years of professional experience. Artur Davtyan, an MP of the ruling My Step bloc and author of the draft law on amendments to the Judicial Code of Armenia, said this at the sitting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs while debating on this bill.

He added that under the current legislation there are certain requirements for judge candidates who, for example, want to become a judge of the Constitutional Court.

“They have to have higher legal education and 15 years of work experience,” Davtyan said. “And if those people are lawyers, even in a lemonade production company, they also have the right to become a judge of the Constitutional Court.”

After the long debates, this parliamentary committee endorsed this law initiative, but in part.


President Sarkissian signs laws adopted by Parliament

Badalian Vardan

Save

Share

 12:58, 20 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. Armenian President Armen Sarkissian signed today a number of laws adopted by the Parliament, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

The laws concern making changes and amendments to the Civil Code and the Law on Safe Use of Atomic Energy for Peaceful Purposes.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




4041 lonely elderly people in Armenia to be provided with foodstuff for a month

Badalian Vardan

Save

Share

 19:06, 20 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. With the support of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of Armenia, 4041 lonely elderly people will be provided with foodstuff for one month.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Government of Armenia, “Mission Armenia’’ and ‘’German Red Cross’’ started the implementation of the program on March 20.

“Mission Armenia’’ Charity NGO will provide foodstuff to 1934 elderly people in Yerevan and 1892 elderly people in the regions, while “German Red Cross” will provide foodstuff for a month to 215 elderly people.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Construction worker at TUMO tests positive for coronavirus

Badalian Vardan
Public Radio of Armenia
March 12 2020

The TUMO Center for Creative Technologies says a construction worker on the 6th floor of its Yerevan facilities has tested positive for coronavirus.

“This morning, we were informed that an individual contracted to work as part of a construction team on the 6th floor of 16 Halabyan Street has tested positive for COVID-19,” TUMO said in a statement.

The individual is not an employee of TUMO and was contracted to work for one of the tenants. The individual did not have access to TUMO Yerevan’s facilities or any direct contact with its students, staff or tenants.

In response to this event, on-site construction has been suspended, TUMO said.

Previously, in light of the World Health Organization’s declaration of the coronavirus as a pandemic, TUMO had decided to suspend all classes in our centers in Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh for the next month.

Today Armenia confirmed two more cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number to six.

Armenia closes schools to curb spread of coronavirus

Badalian Vardan
Public Radio of Armenia
March 13 2020


Armenia will close all schools and other educational establishments until March 23, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has informed.

Speaking live on Facebook, the Prime Minister said the government will return to the issue on March 18-19 and the suspension could be extended if necessary.

PM Pashinyan urged citizens to avoid organizing or participating in mass events.

Armenia has so far confirmed six cases of coronavirus.

Armenian President sends congratulatory letter to Pope Francis

Badalian Vardan

Save

Share

 11:40, 13 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 13, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian sent a congratulatory letter to Pope Francis on the latter’s election anniversary, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

Armen Sarkissian served as Armenia’s first ambassador to Vatican. In 1997 he received the St. Gregory the Great Order from His Holiness Pope John Paul II. With his active participation the Armenia-Rome exhibition opened in 1999 in the Sistine Chapel in the presence of late Pope John Paul II and late Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin I.

Reminding this in his congratulatory letter the Armenian President said Armenians’ ties and connections with Vatican have a millennia-old history, and currently the Armenia-Vatican inter-state relations continue harmoniously developing. Mr. Sarkissian expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis’ unconditional position for the establishment of world peace, justice and human dignity, the strengthening of the Armenia-Holy See inter-state relations.

“I remember with a special warmth your visit to Armenia in June 2016 and our personal meeting”, the Armenian President said in the letter. “I hope we will meet again in the near future”.

The Armenian President wished Pope Francis good health, success and vigor to lead the dedicated mission of the Ecumenical Church.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan