Drug Users’ Right to a Fair Trial

On March 14, 2009, the next TV program was held on “Lori TV” within the framework of the project”Legal Aid to Drug Users”.
Arthur Sakunts, the coordinator of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor, presented the activities carried out and mentioned that this was the only project directed towards protection of drug users’ rights.

During the program the monitoring results of trials held in the Court of Common Jurisdiction of Lori region and the results of the analysis of court decisions made according to articles 266-276 of RA Criminal Code in 2007-2009 were presented.
  The result of the monitoring show that the rights of people (accused of illegal drug distribution) to a fair trial are not preserved. On such cases, mainly summary trial is held and as a rule, in this case the testimonies are not properly studied.
  The people charged with illegal drug distribution solicit for a summary trial, but it turns out in the court that during the pre-trial they were not properly explained the essence of summary trial.
  In a number of cases, the attorney’s participation hasn’t been provided during the summary trial though it is necessary. In other cases the participation of the attorney is of formal character, as the attorney is given only 5-10 minutes to get acquainted with the case and prepare the defence.
  “The worst thing is that those charged with illegal drug distribution are more inclined to have some agreement with the Police employees than apply to us for legal aid. They come to us only when their case is already in the court. This makes difficult to effectively protect their rights.” Therefore, A. Sakunts thinks that, first of all, it is necessary to form trust among drug users towards legal aid and advocate’s service.
   Within the framework of the project, information leaflets were worked out to raise awareness among drug users and those charged with illegal drug distribution. The information leaflets will be distributed among the public.
  The project is being implemented with the support of Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation-Armenia.