Armenian Ombudsperson facilitates prison visit for hunger-striking  inmate Hayk Stepanyan 

ArmInfo. The Human Rights Defender (HRD) of Armenia has successfully facilitated a meeting between Hayk Stepanyan, a detainee currently on a hunger strike at  the Nubarashen Penitentiary, and his children, as reported by the  Office of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia.

According to the statement, representatives from the Ombudsman's  office visited the Ministry of Justice penitentiary facility where  Stepanyan is being held on four separate occasions. The first three  visits were conducted by staff members, while the fourth visit was  carried out personally by the Human Rights Defender.

During these meetings, Stepanyan emphasized that resolving the issue  of visitation with his children—who are currently residing in a care  facility—was a matter of urgent necessity. Following these  discussions, the Ombudsman's office coordinated with relevant state  authorities to facilitate the meeting between the father and his  children within the penitentiary.

Additionally, representatives of the Ombudsman held private  conversations with the children to discuss concerns regarding the  conditions of their care facility. These issues have been formally  submitted to the appropriate state agencies for further review.

The Office of the Ombudsman clarified that the act of declaring a  hunger strike by a detainee is not, in and of itself, grounds for the  reconsideration of pre-trial detention or other restrictive measures.  The office noted that an appeal to change the status of detention can  only be considered if there is evidence of violations concerning  international standards for the application of custody.