A/HRC/45/2 596. Armenia was particularly proud that it was home to the world’s largest Yezidi temple. It was an important centre for pilgrimage, symbolizing solidarity and hope for its Yezidi citizens and Yezidis throughout the world. 597. Armenia had adopted in June 2020 its sixth National Plan for Organizing the Fight against Trafficking in and Exploitation of Persons, covering the upcoming three years. It focused in particular on improving the legislative measures and mechanisms for the identification of and support to victims of trafficking and exploitation. 598. Armenia remained resolute in its fight against corruption and sought to promote an independent, impartial and effective judiciary, and the equality of citizens before the law. It stated that systemic corruption in the country had been uprooted. Armenia planned to introduce integrity checks throughout the whole Prosecutor General’s system. 599. On 25 March 2020, the National Assembly had adopted amendments to the Judicial Code and related laws, aimed at strengthening the integrity of the judiciary. In particular, the order of formation of the Commission on ethics and disciplinary issues of judges, as well as the regulations on disciplinary liability had been amended. 600. The Government was determined to carry out significant judicial transformations to ensure the principle of equality before the law, and would contribute to the establishment of a truly independent, efficient and accountable judicial system that enjoyed the confidence of the public at large. 2. General comments made by the national human rights institution of the State under review 601. The Office of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia (by video message) noted concerns about violence against women and domestic violence. Although some progress had been made by establishing protective mechanisms, there was still a lack of effective implementation. Significant steps needed to be made to break stereotypes, increase quality of investigations, train professionals, and conduct large-scale public awareness campaigns. 602. It noted that the penitentiary system overall continued to be of a punitive nature. It stated that deprivation of liberty, including arrest and detention, must be measures of last resort. Re-socialization and rehabilitation effective programmes needed to be introduced to prepare inmates for freedom, including early conditional release. 603. Practical and legislative steps needed to be taken to solve systemic issues related to police apprehension and arrest, as well as ensuring minimum rights as safeguards against ill-treatment. 604. It stated that the Criminal Code did not provide a definition of inhuman or degrading treatment and responsibility for such acts. Effective investigation of torture cases needed to be enhanced. 605. It welcomed the ongoing de-institutionalization reforms in the country. However, given that most of the children in institutions had some form of disability, urgent steps needed to be taken to address child rights’ issues at community, regional and national levels, paying attention to their special needs by ensuring a variety of community services. 606. Monitoring of social networks showed considerable increase in hate speech. General preventive measures, including awareness raising campaigns, needed to be conducted. 101