The Human
Rights Defender's Office in Armenia as an Ombuds and National Human Rights
Institution with the highest "A" international status is functioning
in accordance with Paris and International Principles.
The
Defender is an independent official who observes the maintenance of human
rights and freedoms by public and local self-government bodies and officials,
and in cases prescribed by this law also by organisations, facilitates the
restoration of violated rights and freedoms, improvement of normative legal
acts related to rights and freedoms.
In the
context of his legal mission, the Human Rights Defender conducts discussions on
individual and collective complaints, as well as discussions on his own
initiative. The Defender also conducts discussions on concrete complaints and
cases (on his own initiative), as well as preventive activities at the systematic
level.
Preventive
activities at the systematic level include, for example, applying to the
Constitutional Court in regard to compliance of laws, decisions of the National
Assembly, orders and instructions of the President of the Republic of Armenia,
decisions of the Government and the Prime-Minister, by-laws with Chapter 2 of
the Constitution stating regulations on basic rights and freedoms of the human
being and the citizen. In the framework of cooperation with the Constitutional
Court, the Defender also presents a special opinion (amicus brief) on human
rights-related cases examining in the Court.
As part
of his/her function on promoting the development of normative legal acts, the
Human Rights Defender develops and submits recommendations to the competent
authorities on making amendments and supplements to legal acts. It is also
noteworthy that prior to the adoption of draft laws on human rights and freedoms
they should be sent to the Defender for written opinion.
Another
important area of work to address systemic issues and prevent rights violations
is to carry out awareness raising activities. In this context, the Defender
publishes videos, information leaflets, guidelines, and other materials on
various human rights issues.
Following
the Constitutional Amendments of 2015 and the adoption of the Constitutional Law,
the Human Rights Defender observes also the maintenance of human rights and
freedoms by organizations operating in the public service field (electricity,
heat, gas, water supplies, telecommunications, postal communication, etc.). The
Defender also discusses complaints regarding alleged violations of human rights
by organizations delegating powers of state and local self-government bodies.
The Defender
is also entrusted with independent monitoring of the implementation of a number
of convention provisions in the country. In particular, The Human Rights Defender
is entrusted with the mandate of the National Preventive Mechanism provided by
the Optional Protocol — adopted on 18 December 2002 — to the 1984 UN Convention
against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
in the Republic of Armenia.
The Human
Rights Defender also conducts the monitoring of the implementation of the
provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child adopted on 20
November 1989, as well as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities (CRPD) adopted on 13 December 2006, as well as carries out the prevention
of violations of the rights of the child and persons with disabilities, and the
protection thereof.
The Human
Rights Defender annually, until March 31 presents to the National Assembly the
annual communication on the activities thereof during the previous year, as
well as on the state of protection of human rights and freedoms. As the
National Preventive Mechanism, the Defender shall, during the first quarter of
each year, publishes and presents a separate report to the National Assembly on
activities aimed at preventing torture and other forms of ill treatment. In
relation to specific issues forming public resonance or gross violations of
human rights, the Defender publishes ad hoc public reports or communications.
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