EEAS Report: Armenia continues to extensively use pre-trial detention  in criminal proceedings

ArmInfo.The European External Action Service (EEAS) has published its "Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2025," which includes an assessment of the situation in Armenia.

The report notes that in 2025, Armenia continued to advance reforms  in the justice sector and strengthen the protection, respect, and  observance of human rights. "The authorities are pursuing ambitious  judicial, police, and constitutional reforms, but face criticism from  civil society regarding the consistency and progress of the reforms.  Civil society organizations also pointed to ineffective  investigations of police abuses, particularly excessive use of force,  the lack of independence of the judiciary, and the excessive use of  pre-trial detention in criminal proceedings," the report's authors  note. The document states that Armenian civil society remains one of  the most active in the region. "Despite the polarized environment,  media pluralism remains. However, in the lead-up to the June 2026  general elections, disinformation, foreign interference, and hybrid  threats have intensified," the document reads.

The report also highlights progress in the social sphere. Armenia s  Law on Universal Health Insurance entered into force on January 1,  2026, with the goal of ensuring equal and affordable access to  healthcare.  Authorities also continued efforts to integrate more  than 100,000 Karabakh Armenians, although challenges related to  housing, employment and social services remain despite the transition  from broad rent subsidies to more targeted assistance.

 "The adoption of the Strategy and Action Plan for the Implementation  of Gender Policy for 2025-2028 was a positive step, and the law on  gender-based violence has been passed, but its implementation on the  ground needs to be improved. The Law on the Rights of the Child and  the Child Protection System entered into force in November 2025.  Civil society continues to challenge the government's disability  assessment algorithm and the Court of Appeal's decision narrowing the  legal interpretation of disability discrimination.  Progress in  adopting comprehensive anti-discrimination and minority protection  legislation has yet to be achieved," the report's authors further  note.  At the same time, it is emphasized that Armenia has continued  reforms in the judicial system aimed at enhancing integrity,  accountability, and effectiveness. However, concerns remain regarding  the transparency of judicial appointments and the effective  implementation of integrity mechanisms.  "The opposition and parts of  civil society have raised accusations of instrumentalization of the  criminal justice system, which creates the risk of punishing dissent  and undermining freedom of expression, including through the possible  overuse of criminal law provisions related to hooliganism. Similarly,  concerns remain about strategic lawsuits against public participation  (SLAPPs) targeting journalists, environmental activists, and human  rights defenders. The widespread use of pretrial detention persists,  along with concerns about deaths in custody, despite legislative  amendments strengthening health guarantees for persons deprived of  their liberty," the report notes.

In this vein, it is reported that, with EU support, the Arbitration  and Mediation Center of Armenia was established in 2025 to improve  access to justice. "Concerns also remain regarding the treatment and  conditions of Armenian military personnel, particularly regarding  non-combat-related deaths, despite a decline in their overall  number," the report's authors stated.

It is noted that "Armenia has significantly strengthened its  anti-corruption system, bringing it into line with international  standards, including GRECO and OECD."

"The Fifth National Anti-Corruption Strategy (2023-2026) provides a  comprehensive framework, but it remains insufficiently risk-oriented  and lacks targeted measures for sectors with a higher risk of  corruption, particularly in public procurement," the report  continues.