Ombudsman's Office Reports on Hunger Strike at Nubarashen Psychiatric Hospital

The Office of the Human Rights Defender has received phone calls since early morning from individuals who have declared a hunger strike at the National Center for Mental Health (Nubarashen Psychiatric Hospital). This was reported by the Public Relations Department of the Human Rights Defender’s office.

According to the alerts, the reason for the hunger strike was the prohibition on bringing prepared food from relatives into the psychiatric hospital.

In response to these alerts, specialists from the Ombudsman’s Office of the Prevention of Torture and Ill-Treatment have maintained constant communication with the hospital's director and deputy director, as well as established feedback with the individuals who declared a hunger strike.

According to the management of the hospital, the purpose of the food delivery ban is to prevent a recent outbreak of intestinal infection in the Nubarashen psychiatric hospital. This ban is temporary and only applies to food prepared at home (there are no restrictions on delivering raw food items such as vegetables, fruits, bread, pastry, etc.).

During private conversations with representatives of the Human Rights Defender, the individuals on hunger strike indicated that they had received sufficient explanations regarding the temporary food delivery limitations, and they have since ended their hunger strike.

The issues concerning the mental health of individuals in the psychiatric hospital and the protection of their rights remain a priority for the Defender.