Armenian Police Violate Human Rights During Apprehension, Search, and Arrest: Report

In police-citizen relations, there are risks that lead to human rights violations and no proper judicial oversight. This is stated in a report titled "Study of the Human Rights Situation in Police-Citizen Relations" produced by the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Vanadzor Office. 

The study was carried out by six attorneys, summing up the information gathered during the process of legal advocacy between 2011–2013.

"The majority of violations are committed upon apprehension, then during arrest, and less during searches. Human rights are most vulnerable upon apprehension," reads the report. 

There were violations in 52 of the 62 cases the attorneys submitted to the organization; that is, in 75% of cases. Of those 52 cases, 177 violations were recorded during apprehension, searches, and while under arrest.  

The report states that in 51 of the 83 violations upon apprehension, the procedure for being detained was violated; for example, there was no decision to apprehend, the case or grounds for arrest weren't declared to the person being detained, and so on. 

A large number of violations were recorded also during a search. In particular, in 7 of the cases examined, the individual wasn't given a chance to become acquainted with the court decision to search; in 4 of the cases, it was not explained how the individual subjected to a search can appeal the decision to carry out a search; in 3 of the cases, individuals subjected to a search were not informed of their rights; and in 3 other cases, the search protocol was not properly drawn up. 

The report highlights instance of ill treatment upon apprehension and during the arrest. 

According to the report, the summary of the functions of apprehension, search, and arrest lead to the conclusion that instances of ill treatment toward citizens are widespread during the fulfilment of these functions and are due, on one hand, to the lack of clarity of the illegal mechanisms and standards for the protection of human rights and, on the other hand, to the lack of proper and effective control over the actions of the police, especially on the part of the courts.