The problem of imprisoned people as well as that of soldiers has recently become a subject for public debate.
For several years Armenian human rights advocates have been demanding that the problem of imprisoned people be resolved. Prisons in Armenia are overcrowded and people who have been put in prison are experiencing extreme difficulties. Conditions are unsanitary, imprisoned people often fall ill and even die, due to lack of care. Last year the number of people who died in prisons more than doubled.
According to data published after human rights activists’ monitoring of prisons, last year the number of imprisoned people in Armenia increased by 20 per cent. The prisons are now extremely overcrowded. Last year there were 4,850 people in Armenian prisons, while only 4,396 are expected to be placed in the existing prisons.
Human rights advocates believe that the reason is that arrest is too often used as a punishment for crimes that are not so serious. At the same time, committees organized to release prisoners do not in fact do so, refusing all requests sent.
The Armenian ministry of justice claims that they pay attention to all complaints and are trying to improve the situation. Certain measures have already been taken. Now we have to wait to see whether these measures will change the situation for the better.
Susanna Petrosyan, Yerevan. Exclusively to VK
