RA Ombudsman’s Office to deal with prisoners-hunger strikers only based on applications?

PanARMENIAN.Net - On March 21, representatives of the RA Ombudsman’s Office visited Nubarashen jail to meet with Manuk Semerjyan who went on a hunger strike on March 12.

They heard grievances of Semerjyan with respect to conditions in Nubarashen jail, as well as briefed him on his rights, an employee of the RA Ombudsman’s Office told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

“After the meeting Semerjyan said he will stop the hunger strike. However, it is not clear whether Sergey Movsisyan, Sergey Petrosyan and Arsen Arushanyan will follow him,” the press service of the RA Ombudsman’s Office said.

Besides, an agreement was reached to change the iron bars welded inside the cells a meter far from the window, what was one of the reasons behind the hunger strike.

The employee of the RA Ombudsman’s Office said that relatives of other hunger strikers should apply to the Office in a written form so that its representatives meet with the prisoners.

Besides, the prisoners have serious health problems and many of them need dietary food. However, the administration continues to neglect all calls to improve the living conditions.

Relatives have been barred from bringing uncooked vegetables or grains.

As a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter was told, 15 people died because of inhuman living conditions last year.

“No assistance in rendered until the health state of a sick prisoner grows desperate. Moreover, there is no necessary medical equipment in the prison,” the source said, adding that letters sent by the relatives do not reach the recipients.

Despite the jail administration’s pressure, the prisoners are going to continue the hunger strike, unless their complaints are heard by representatives of relevant bodies or European structures.

As to 66 other prisoners, they ceased the hunger strike yielding to numerous threats.