Today,
at the initiative of the Human Rights Defender a meeting took place with the
representatives of NGOs operating in the field of rights protection of persons
with disabilities.
During
the event, the Human Rights Defender of Armenia Arman Tatoyan, UN Resident
Coordinator for Armenia Shombi Sharp, Head of Unit for Protection of the Rights
of Persons with Disabilities of the Defender’s Office Monika Sargsyan made
opening remarks.
Arman
Tatoyan presented the role of the Human Rights Defender in protecting the
rights of persons with disabilities, in particular, the mission and working
directions of the Unit for Protection of the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities, as well as the new mandate of an independent monitoring body
under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities (CRPD).
On the
way towards building an inclusive society, the Human Rights Defender
particularly emphasized the importance of respecting dignity of persons with
disabilities, the creation of an environment that assures independent and full
participation in all areas of life, and active participation in
decision-making.
“We have issues in the field of rights
protection of persons with disabilities accumulated over the years, starting from
stereotypes and discrimination to ineffective remedies. We will closely cooperate with NGOs,
independent experts, media and other partners to address these issues. For that
purpose, an expert council on the rights of persons with disabilities adjunct
to the Human Rights Defender will be created”, said the Human Rights Defender.
The
representatives of NGOs welcomed the idea of creating a council adjunct to the
Human Rights Defender, discussed with the Defender the issues of the protection
of the rights of persons with disabilities and presented their vision for their
solution.
In 2019
a Unit for Protection of Rights of Persons with Disabilities is established within
the Department for Protection of Civil, Social-Economical and Cultural Rights
at the Human Rights Defender’s Office. The Unit will ensure the protection of
rights and freedoms of persons with disabilities violated by the state and
local self-governing bodies, will conduct unannounced visits, as well as the
monitoring of implementation of the provisions of the UN Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
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