Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor

112 cases of human rights violations by Police were recorded in 2023 based on findings of mass media monitoring. The number of such violations recorded in 2022 was 199. 

159 cases of human rights violations by Police were recorded in 2021, 192 cases in 2020, 90 cases in 2019, 181 cases in 2018, 107 cases in 2017, 338 cases in 2016, 304 cases in 2015.  

61 cases of human rights violations by Police were recorded during or as a result of participating in assemblies in 2023 (which make 54․5 % of the total number of cases). 

In 2023, 51 cases of human rights violations of individual nature were recorded based on mass media publications (which make 45․5 % of the total number of cases). 

Noteworthy, in percentage comparison, violations of individual nature recorded in 2023 were most frequent during 2020-2023, despite the fact that reforms of the Police were declared in 2020, a strategy and the relevant action plan were adopted. Moreover, as compared to last year, the number of cases increased by 36%.

It should be mentioned that while activities of Police officers during assemblies can be identified due to extensive media coverage, there is almost no coverage of human rights violations in individual cases. Cases that receive public resonance are the ones published by mass media. 

The right to liberty and security was the most violated right in 2023 (65 cases or 58% of the cases). The right to liberty and security was violated in 44 cases (72%) during assemblies, and 21 times in individual cases (41%).  The right to be free from physical violence was violated in 57 cases (51% of the total number of cases). The right to peaceful assembly without weapons was violated in 55 cases (48.2% of the total number of cases). Below is the number of violations of the said rights: 

Most of those cases were recorded in Yerevan, as usual (94 cases, 84% of the total number of cases).

Summary of individual cases that led to human rights violations by Police in 2023

51 cases of individual nature that led to human rights violations by Police were recorded in 2023 based on mass media publications, making 45.5% of the total number of human rights violations by Police. In particular, the following rights were violated: 

• 27 cases (or 53% of the total number of cases) of the right to be free from physical violence,
• 22 cases of violation of the right to be free from inhuman or degrading treatment,
• 21 cases of violation of the right to liberty and security,
• 7 cases of violation of the right to a fair trial, 
• 6 cases of violation of the right to legal aid,
• 6 cases of violation of the right to health, 
• 5 cases of violation of the right to be free from discrimination,
• 4 cases of violation of the right to property, 
• 3 cases of violation of the right to freedom of speech, 
• 3 cases of violation of the right to privacy,
• 3 cases of violation of the right to free movement,, 
• 2 cases of violation of the right to express one’s opinion,
• 4 cases of violation of the right of journalists to carry out legal professional activity. 

38 out of 51 individual cases (74․5 %) occurred in Yerevan, 5 in Lori, 4 in Shirak, 2 cases in Kotayk, 1 case in Tavush and 1 case in Syunik.

Click to read details of cases recorded during the reporting period per violated right.

Summary of cases that led to human rights violations by Police during or as a result of participating in assemblies in 2023 

In 2023, 61 cases of human rights violations (54.5% of the total number of violations) by Police were recorded during assemblies and protests. In particular, the following rights were violated: 

• 55 cases of violation of the right to peaceful assemblies without weapons (90 %),
• 44 cases of violation of the right to liberty and security (72 %), 
• 30 cases of violation of the right to be free from physical violence (49 %), 
• 6 cases of violation of the right to health (9․8 %), 

The right to legal aid, the right to be free from inhuman or degrading treatment, the right to property, the right to freedom of speech and expression were also violated. In 4 cases, journalists’ lawful professional activity was impeded.

56 out of 61 cases (91.8 %) occurred in Yerevan, 3 cases occurred in Lori, 1 case occurred in Ararat region and 1 case occurred in Shirak region. 

Click for more details about cases that occurred during the reporting period per violated right.

Click to read the full report.