On 27 March, a meeting-discussion on the State Strategic program for the Establishment of the Probation Institute organized by the “Support to Probation” National Network, which was formed in the framework of the “Step towards Just Armenia” sub-grant project implemented in the scope of the “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” project, took place.
The discussion was held “Town Hall” format. Mr. Arsen Navasardyan, Head of Probation Service, Ms Marine Gasparyan, Head of the Department of Social, Psychological and Legal Affairs of Penitentiary Service, representatives of NGOs and international experts attended the discussion.
During the opening speech Mr. Artak Kirakosyan, Chairman of the board of the “Support to Probation” National Network, emphasized the importance of cooperation between different departments in the establishment of probation system.
Representatives of the Helsinki Committee of the Netherlands Mr. Leo Tigges and Mr. Steven Pitts facilitated the discussion. They had arrived in Armenia to present a state strategic program for the establishment of a probation institute.
Notably, during the visit, they met with representatives of all the ministries in the field, in particular from the Probation Service, the Penitentiary Service, judges, international organizations and embassies, as well as representatives of the “Support to Probation” National Network.
As a result of these meetings, they collected the main obstacles to the establishment of a conditional early release facility, the scenarios around which the participants discussed in two groups, and then summed in a general discussion. The results of the meeting will be summarized by Leo Tiges and Steven Pitt and will be presented to the “Support to Probation” National Network.
The ““Step towards Just Armenia” project is implemented by the Civil Society Institute NGO, in cooperation with its – “Astghatsolk” NGO, “Foundation Against the Violation of Law”, ““Family and Community” NGO” with the sub-grant provided in the scope of the EU Funded “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” project implemented by a consortium of organizations led by the “Armenian Lawyers’ Association NGO”.
