RA MFA: EU encourages Armenia to continue improving detention  conditions

ArmInfo. As part of the 15th round of the Human Rights Dialogue, the European Union (EU)  encouraged Armenia to improve detention conditions, including by  addressing the overcrowding in several penitentiary institutions and  expanding the scope of alternative measures to pre-trial detention. 

According to the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs  (MFA), the EU Delegation was led by Deren Derya, Head of Division in  the European External Action Service and the Armenian delegation was  led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vahan Kostanyan. The two  sides underscored the importance of advancing equality and combating  discrimination. The EU noted the adoption in 2025 of the Gender  Equality Strategy and Action Plan for 2025-2028.  "The Armenian side  briefed the EU side on the steps towards the adoption of the  comprehensive anti-discrimination law. Both sides underlined the  importance of continuing efforts to counter domestic and gender-based  violence, hate speech and hate crimes, including against LGBTI  persons," the Foreign Ministry reported.

The parties attached particular importance to persons in vulnerable  situations, including displaced Karabakh Armenians. The EU reaffirmed  its continued support and assistance for their inclusion. In the  context of child rights, the EU welcomed the adoption in 2025 of a  legislative package on child protection, marking a significant formal  advance in the legal framework. 

" Armenia and the EU discussed the importance of upholding  fundamental freedoms, including the freedoms of assembly, association  and expression, maintaining an open civic space and a free and  independent media environment, and strengthening the role of civil  society. The EU further encouraged Armenia to improve detention  conditions, including by addressing the overcrowding in several  penitentiary institutions and expanding the scope of alternative  measures to pre-trial detention," the Ministry added. 

With regard to the parliamentary elections on 7 June, Armenia and EU  exchanged on the preliminary findings of the OSCE/ODIHR election  observation mission, including the areas of improvement identified,  and agreed to continue consultations on the implementation of the  recommendations once the final report is published The two sides  confirmed their commitment to continue close cooperation on human  rights issues at bilateral level and in international multilateral  fora.  "The next EU-Armenia Human Rights Dialogue will take place in  Brussels in 2027," the Armenian Foreign Ministry concluded.