Armenia’s Human Rights Defender calls for systemic reforms to prevent deaths and ill-treatment in armed forces

Preventing violent deaths, suicides, self-harm and ill-treatment in the armed forces requires systemic reforms, Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan said at an expanded meeting of the Expert Council on the Protection of Servicemembers’ Rights held on October 14 at the initiative of the Human Rights Defender’s Office and in cooperation with the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF).

In her remarks, Manasyan emphasized that, despite the work carried out, problems requiring urgent solutions remain in the field of protecting servicemembers’ rights, her office said in a press release.

Manasyan noted that every death of a servicemember is a matter of serious concern. Preventing such cases, she said, requires continuous and systematic work, the implementation of effective preventive mechanisms, and consistent efforts by the competent state bodies.

“Issues related to preventing violent deaths, suicides, self-harm and ill-treatment in the armed forces require systemic reforms,” she said.

The Human Rights Defender emphasized that eliminating non-statutory relations in the armed forces is an urgent necessity. Steps in this direction should be conceptual in nature and include specific prevention mechanisms.

Manasyan also stressed the importance of proper, comprehensive and objective investigations into criminal proceedings concerning relevant cases and of holding those responsible accountable.

The meeting discussed the main risk factors for deaths in non-combat circumstances, suicides, self-harm, violence and ill-treatment, as well as opportunities to prevent them.

The meeting addressed the development of a healthy moral and psychological environment in the armed forces, improvements in organizational and leadership culture, the protection of mental health, and the provision of psychological support. The participants also discussed the effectiveness of mechanisms for the early identification of problems and an appropriate response to them.

Particular attention was paid to cooperation among state bodies, the role of independent oversight bodies, and international experience.

Manasyan stressed the importance of continued cooperation with state bodies, international partners, civil society, human rights defenders and independent experts to identify problems and develop measures to address them. She emphasized that the protection of human rights in the armed forces remains a matter of her direct attention.

Speakers included representatives of the Human Rights Defender’s Office Aram Minasyan and Andranik Yeghoyan; Aram Torosyan, spokesperson for the Minister of Defense; Artur Adamyan, acting head of the Ministry of Defense’s Morale and Psychological Support Department; military expert Grigor Sahakyan; and human rights defenders Siranush Sahakyan and Ara Gharagyozyan.

Other speakers included Joanna Harvey, a military mental health specialist from the United Kingdom; Eka Chkonia, a mental health and suicide prevention expert from Georgia; Emmanuel Jacob, president of EUROMIL; Luka Glušac, a senior research fellow at the University of Belgrade; and other experts.

The meeting was attended by representatives of state bodies, international organizations and civil society, members of the Expert Council, and Armenian and international specialists.