Local NGOs Protest Inhumane, Degrading Treatment in Armenia Prisons

Several non-governmental organizations in Armenia have issued a statement regarding the inhumane and degrading treatment toward prisoners in Nubarashen penitentiary where MP Zaruhi Postanjyan’s brother, Tigran Postanjyan, is also being kept. Note, it’s already been 88 days that Postanjyan has been in pre-detention trial. His sister announced that he began a hunger strike on May 12.

Recall, Tigran Postanjyan, who works for the local government of Yerevan’s Arabkir district, is being charged under Article 311 Section 1 (taking bribes by a state official) of the RA Criminal Code for allegedly receiving a bribe of 100,000 drams (about $275 US) last September to turn a blind eye to illegal construction carried out by an unnamed local resident.

NGO representatives say that Postanjyan is being kept in a cell with an area of 25 square meters, in which 18 other prisoners are kept. Further, the statement notes that there are more prisoners than there are places to sleep (11 beds) and thus, the prisoners are forced to sleep in turns. “The TV and the light in the cell are on on 24 hours a day. The prisoners eat half a meter away from the toilet,” they add.

Furthermore, the statement notes that there is no proper air ventilation in the cell and the temperature reaches 38 degrees Celsius. There are many insects, as a result of which Tigran Postanjyan is forced to sleep in his clothes. Due to the presence of 19 prisoners in a cell designed for 11, there is always noise and disorder.

“A number of RA NGOs, as well as the RA penitentiary public observers’ group, have repeatedly noted and made announcements concerning the problem of overcrowding in penal institutions.

“Keeping Tigran Postanjyan and other prisoners in such conditions violates not only Armenian legislation, but also Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights — prohibition of torture. No one should be subject to torture or inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment.

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“We call on the Armenian authorities to take immediate action to eliminate the inhumane and degrading treatment toward Tigran Postanjyan and the prisoners kept at Nubarashen penitentiary,” reads the statement signed by the following NGOs:

Civil Society Institute

Advocates for Human Rights

Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center

Armenian National Committee of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly

Helsinki Committee of Armenia

Youth for Democracy

National Citizens’ Initiative

Ecodar NGO

Lawyers Against Torture

Hope NGO