Armenian ombudsperson meets detained opposition member over child contact ban

Armenian Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan has visited Aregnaz Manukyan, a former lawmaker and a senior member of the opposition Mother Armenia party, at Abovyan Penitentiary after she complained of being barred from seeing her minor daughter, the HRD Office said on Thursday.

Employees of the HRD Office met Manukyan on July 13 as part of an inquiry into her detention conditions. Manukyan told them that a court-imposed communication ban prevents her from contacting her child.

Under Armenian law, the ombudsperson cannot intervene in specific judicial rulings. However, Manasyan’s office said restrictions linked to detention represent “a severe interference with individual rights” and stressed that the extension of the ban to Manukyan’s daughter requires consideration of the child’s best interests.

The ombudswoman has raised the issue with relevant authorities and is consulting partner organizations to ensure appropriate support for the child. Details of those discussions remain confidential, the office added.