On the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the Office of the Human Rights Defender organized a discussion dedicated to the prevention of torture, the protection of the rights of victims, and the effective investigation of torture cases. The discussion was attended by representatives of state bodies, members of the National Assembly, civil society organizations, international partners, and experts in the field.
The opening remarks were delivered by Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan, who emphasized that although certain positive developments have been recorded in recent years, cases of torture and ill-treatment continue to remain among the most serious challenges in the field of human rights protection. She stressed the importance of the effective functioning of the National Preventive Mechanism, the introduction of video recording systems in places of deprivation of liberty, as well as the establishment of an institutional support mechanism for victims of torture and their family members.
Siranush Sahakyan, Director of the International and Comparative Law Center, also attendant the discussion. She drew attention to the disproportionately lengthy duration of investigations and judicial proceedings in torture cases. In her assessment, justice in such cases is often delivered only after eight to ten years, which not only undermines the effectiveness of justice but also deepens the trauma caused by torture for the victims and their families. Siranush Sahakyan stressed that investigations into such cases should be conducted as expeditiously as possible, ensuring both the timely identification of those responsible and the application of appropriate accountability.
Sahakyan also raised the issue of access to legal assistance for victims of torture. According to her, under the current legislative framework, free legal aid is generally available only at the compensation stage, whereas victims are often deprived of professional legal assistance precisely during the stages of documenting the act of torture, ensuring an effective investigation, and holding those responsible accountable.
During the discussion, two thematic panel sessions were held, dedicated to the existing mechanisms for supporting victims of torture and the effective investigation of criminal cases involving torture. In an open dialogue format, participants addressed the existing challenges in the field and presented proposals aimed at overcoming them.
At the end of the discussion, the participants reaffirmed that the establishment of an effective system for the prevention of torture is possible only through sustained cooperation among state bodies, international organizations, and civil society, while the full protection of the right of torture victims requires not only legislative reforms but also practical and institutional reforms.
