BACKGROUND INFORMATION The Armenian Constitution and a number of laws prohibit torture in Armenia. However, there are regular reports that torture and ill-treatment are used by the police and security forces to force confessions. In November 2006 the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (CPT), part of the Council of Europe, published findings based on a 2004 visit to Armenia, in which numerous allegations of torture and ill-treatment at the hands of officials were reported. In 2006 there were no reported prosecutions or convictions of police officers for torture or ill-treatment. In May 2006 the Armenian National Assembly ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). Armenia officially became a party to this treaty, aimed at preventing torture and other ill-treatment, in September 2006.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Armenian, Russian, English or your own language: - expressing concern at reports that Gagik Bgdoyan is not receiving adequate medical care for a collapsed lung, allegedly sustained as a result of beatings by security forces personnel in detention; - demanding that all allegations of torture and ill-treatment be thoroughly and independently investigated and if confirmed, perpetrators brought to account; - seeking the assurances of the Armenian authorities that they will ensure Gagik Bgdoyan receives all necessary medical care, including by means of transfer to a civic hospital if recommended by doctors.
APPEALS TO: Davit Harutyunyan Minister of Justice Ministry of Justice 3 Vazgen Street Yerevan, Armenia Fax.: +37410 58 21 57 (if someone answers, please ask for ‘fax’) Email: justice@justice.am Salutation: Dear Minister Agvan Hovsepyan Prosecutor-General 5, V. Sargsyan Street 0010 Yerevan Republic of Armenia Email: info@genproc.am Salutation: Dear Prosecutor-General Mr Hovhannes Manukian Chairman Court of Cassation 5A Vazgen Sarkisian Street Fax: +37410 58 15 24 Salutation: Dear Mr Manukian
COPIES TO: Dr Armen Harutiunian Ombudsman of the Republic of Armenia 56A Pushkin Street Yerevan 0002 Armenia Fax: +374 10 530 858 Email: ombuds@ombuds.am Nikolay Pavlov Russian Ambassador to Armenia Russian Embassy 13A Grigora Lusavoricha Street Yerevan 375015 Armenia Fax: +3741 56 71 07, +3741 58 72 14 (if someone answers, please ask for ‘fax’) and to diplomatic representatives of Armenia accredited to your country. PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 31 May 2007.******** Amnesty International, International Secretariat, 1 Easton Street, WC1X 0DW, London, United Kingdom
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