PH International

“Probation Support Program in Armenia” launching conference

Armenia | Probation Support Program in Armenia | 17 May 2018




Organized by “PH International” Armenian office, “Probation Support Program in Armenia” launching conference was held at the “Armenia Marriott” hotel, Yerevan, on May 15, 2018. It hosted representatives of a number of state agencies, US Embassy to Yerevan and social organizations involved in the activities in the sphere, including Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia, Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of RA, RA State Probation Service, “Center for Legal Education and Restorative Programs (CLERP)” State Non-Profit Organization, Civil Society Institute (CSI) and other participants of the event.

The 5-hour conference was opened by the welcoming speech by Mariam Martirosyan, “PH International” Armenia Country Director, who introduced the basics of the Probation Support Program, portraying its general features, as well as outlining some landmark details of the upcoming undertakings and phases of the project, which started in March 2018 and is expected to be completed by late February 2019. Audie Holloway, U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Senior Law Enforcement Advisor from the US Embassy to Armenia, extended his appreciation for holding the event and for Armenia’s continuous effort in the betterment of the Probation system in the country, making a number of valuable remarks on the enhancement strategies and policies in this domain, while drawing parallels with the Probation practices and traditions in the U.S. and Canada justice systems. Presentations and reports, delivered by the participants, were followed by heated discussions and debates among the parties, on the ambiguities and conundrums, existent within the Probation system in Armenia, the legal congruence of system-specific requirements with the relevant jurisdiction, as well as on finding best solutions to the institutional problems and addressing all critical issues.

All parties marked this and future similar events as necessary and essential platforms for examining the immense work to be done in the sphere, both in terms of voicing crucial issues and attracting multi-lateral cooperation to explore best ways for the Probation system enhancement in Armenia.