In response to inquiries from mass media outlets, we inform that, within the framework of a study initiated on the Human Rights Defender's own initiative, and by the Human Rights Defender's instruction, representatives of the Human Rights Defender's Office visited the "Abovyan" penitentiary institution of the RA Ministry of Justice on July 13, and held a private conversation with Aregnaz Gurgeni Manukyan, a member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia of the 8th convocation. The circumstances she presented were recorded, and her conditions of detention and relevant documents were examined. This was reported by the Human Rights Defender's Office.

During the private conversation, Aregnaz Manukyan told the Defender's representatives, among other things, that due to a communication restriction applied to her by the court, she is unable to communicate with her daughter.

Due to the prohibition on interfering in judicial proceedings enshrined in the RA Constitutional Law "On the Human Rights Defender," the Defender does not review individual complaints regarding judicial acts in specific criminal proceedings. Nevertheless, considering that detention and the restrictions on rights associated with it involve a more severe interference with a person's rights, the Human Rights Defender regularly raises issues related to them.

Given that the restriction applied to Aregnaz Manukyan also extended to her minor daughter, and that this requires taking into account the best interests of the child and maintaining the necessary sensitivity, the Human Rights Defender addressed — among other matters — the question of discussing the possibility of reviewing the restrictions on communication with her daughter that had been applied to Aregnaz Manukyan, immediately after the issue was raised by her.

Given the sensitivity of the case, the Defender's institution is also maintaining communication with partner organizations regarding ensuring the child's best interests in this process, as well as discussing the possibility of providing support appropriate to the child's needs. This information is confidential and not subject to publication.

Should other information subject to publication become available, the Human Rights Defender's institution will provide further updates.