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.”
Magnus Carlsen launches online chess super-tournament
11:31, 3 April, 2020
YEREVAN, APRIL 3, ARMENPRESS. World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen is launching an online chess super-tournament amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Magnus Carlsen Invitational sees the World Chess Champion challenge seven of his biggest rivals to a 2-week, $250,000 battle. Every move will be streamed live on chess24.
“Chess is unique in the sports world as the moves are the same whether played on a wooden board or a computer screen”, Carlsen commented to chess24.
“This is a historic moment for chess, and given that it’s possible to continue top professional play in an online environment, we have not only the opportunity but the responsibility to players and fans around the world who need a distraction when no other live, competitive sport is being played”, he said.
Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
11:12, 3 April, 2020
YEREVAN, APRIL 3, ARMENPRESS. 73 coronavirus cases have been diagnosed in Armenia in the past 24 hours, bringing the total cumulative number of the COVID-19 cases to 736, the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported.
With 43 recoveries and 7 fatalities, the number of active cases stands at 686 as of April 3, 11:00 GMT+4.
Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
China’s Hainan Province 10K face masks to Armenia’s Shirak
11:24, 3 April, 2020
GYUMRI, APRIL 3, ARMENPRESS. China’s Hainan Province has sent 10,000 protective masks to Armenia’s Shirak Province.
The Shirak Province’s government said that the donation will arrive in a few days and will be supplied to local hospitals.
The initiative has been implemented by the Regional Development Foundation of Chinese-Armenian Relations as part of the Memorandum Of Cooperation and Understanding between Shirak and Hainan.
Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
12:37, 3 April, 2020
YEREVAN, APRIL 3, ARMENPRESS. The buses of the Yerevan public transport fleet, currently suspended amid the coronavirus outbreak, have been designated to be used as transportation vehicles for over 650 health workers of 30 different medical facilities of the city, City Hall spokesperson Hakob Karapetyan said on social media.
The vehicles will operate 40-routes , 3 times a day exclusively transporting health workers from their homes to the hospitals.
Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
11:15, 3 April, 2020
YEREVAN, APRIL 3, ARMENPRESS. In response to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic globally, and recently in Armenia, the World Bank is supporting the Government’s response to protect its people amid the coronavirus outbreak, the World Bank Office in Armenia told Armenpress.
At the request of the Ministry of Health of Armenia, the World Bank has allocated $3 million to address the country’s urgent needs for equipment and supplies needed for the intensive care of people with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. These funds are supporting the procurement of 50 artificial pulmonary ventilation (APV) devices worth $1.35 million under the ongoing Disease Prevention and Control Project (DPCP).
This procurement became possible due to the application of the streamlined procedures of the World Bank in emergency situations. The technical expertise provided by the World Bank helped to carry out rapid market analysis to ensure value for money amid acute shortages in global supply of medical equipment and increasing prices. As a result, Armenia’s health system will be equipped with additional high-quality devices necessary for treating an increasing number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.
“In these dramatic times the Bank stands ready to support the country’s response to help mitigate the impact of the pandemic,” says Sylvie Bossoutrot, World Bank Country Manager for Armenia. “I would like to recognize the unprecedented dedication of health professionals in Armenia to protect the people. I would also like to strongly encourage each citizen of Armenia to strictly abide by the requirements of these emergency times and observe social distancing and isolation measures aimed at minimizing the impact of the pandemic.”
Similar arrangements will be applied to purchase additional ventilators, as well as personal protective equipment to address immediate healthcare needs. In addition, the World Bank stands ready to reprogram parts of its active ongoing portfolio in Armenia to support the government’s response to COVID-19 in various areas.
The World Bank’s financial and technical support is closely coordinated with that of other international organizations and development finance institutions. In particular, the above equipment will be procured directly through United Nations agencies’ supply channels in view of the current constraints for these types of medical emergency equipment in the global market.
The World Bank Group is rolling out a $14 billion fast-track package to strengthen the COVID-19 response in developing countries and shorten the time to recovery. The immediate response includes financing, policy advice and technical assistance to help countries cope with the health and economic impacts of the pandemic. The IFC is providing $8 billion in financing to help private companies affected by the pandemic and preserve jobs. IBRD and IDA are making an initial US$6 billion available for the health-response. As countries need broader support, the World Bank Group will deploy up to $160 billion over 15 months to protect the poor and vulnerable, support businesses, and bolster economic recovery.
13:23, 3 April, 2020
YEREVAN, APRIL 3, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan visited the Engineering City together with Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan and Minister of High Technological Industry Hakob Arshakyan, the PM’s Office told Armenpress.
The PM got acquainted with the equipment of military significance developed by Armenian specialists, as well as the repair works of lung ventilation devices.
The representatives of the Engineering Association of Armenia stated that currently they are working on designing new lung ventilation devices, developing complete or partial production and are going to present concrete proposals to the Ministry of High-tech industry. It was reported that the specialists successfully manage to restore the devices which have been kept in reserves.
Pashinyan highlighted the work of Armenian engineers in these spheres and stated that the government is ready to provide assistance for the effective implementation of these projects.
Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
12:19, 3 April, 2020
YEREVAN, APRIL 3, ARMENPRESS. Soldier of Artsakh’s Defense Army Garegin Babakekhyan, born in 2000, received a fatal gunshot wound at a military position located in the south-eastern direction of the Army on April 3, the defense ministry of Artsakh told Armenpress, adding that the circumstances around the incident are yet to be determined.
Investigation is underway.
In a statement, the Defense Ministry expressed condolences to the family, relatives and fellow servicemen of the soldier.
Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan