ArmInfo. Human rights and freedoms should not be of secondary importance and lose the necessary state protection. Ombudsman of Armenia Arman Tatoyan wrote about this on his Facebook page.
<Nowadays, when the world is struggling with a new type of coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19), human rights and freedoms should not be of secondary importance and lose the necessary state protection. Similarly, one should not forget the question of torture or ill-treatment of others. On June 26, the United Nations declared International Support Day for Torture Victims. Often there are misconceptions that torture or inhuman treatment is used only by law enforcement officials to extort evidence. It should be noted that the requirement of an absolute ban on all other forms of torture and ill-treatment extends to many other issues. For example, poor living conditions in prisons, overcrowding, poor medical care and services, and the use of illicit drugs in a psychiatric hospital can also lead to abuse.
The state should take clear steps to quickly and adequately respond to torture, following an effective investigation, bring those responsible to justice, and take steps to prevent torture in the country, given the high public risk of torture for a civilized society, as well as an absolute ban on international torture . The reports of the Ombudsman constantly emphasize the imperfection of mechanisms for compensation for moral damage. It is also important to provide comprehensive physical, psychological and social support to those who have experienced torture, cruelty, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as well as their families. As the Ombudsman of Armenia, I will continue, through daily work, to contribute to the protection of every person in the country from torture, degrading or inhuman treatment or punishment. In this case, public control further enhances the joint struggle>, the statement says.