The
event was co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Paruyr Hovhannisyan
and Director of Programme Co-ordination of Council of Europe Claus Neukirch.
Officials of the departments and structures of RA, who are beneficiaries of the
program "Partnership for Good Governance" as well as representatives
of the Council of Europe Secretariat and the Council of Europe Office in
Yerevan, participated in the meeting.
Welcoming
the attendees, Anahit Manasyan stated that she attaches great importance to the
cooperation of the Human Rights Defender's Office with the Council of Europe.
In this context, the important role of programs of CE in the development of the
human rights protection system in Armenia was especially emphasized.
In
her speech, the Defender referred to systemic problems that have not yet been
finally solved in the field of human rights protection, in particular, the
cases of deaths in peaceful conditions in the armed forces, the issues related
to the provision of medical assistance to persons deprived of their liberty,
the right to freedom of assembly, the issues related to the investigation of
cases of torture and ill-treatment. Anahit Manasyan stated that she addressed
the above-mentioned issues in detail within the framework of the annual report,
and presented proposals for their solution. Among other things, the Defender
emphasized the importance of active steps to be taken by the competent bodies
towards the implementation of the mentioned proposals.
The
Defender referred to the importance of measures aimed at developing the
capacities of the Human Rights Defender's staff with the support of the Council
of Europe. Anahit Manasyan also stated that in the near future she will come up
with various initiatives dedicated to the fight against hate speech,
intolerance and discrimination.
The
details of the implementation of the human rights protection program in the
field of biomedicine were discussed, including the issue of ratification of the
Oviedo Convention by Armenia. Anahit Manasyan noted that before the
ratification of the Oviedo Convention, it is necessary to carry out awareness
campaigns in order to form a real understanding of the rights guaranteed by the
Convention among the public.
Within
the framework of the session, the Defender Anahit Manasyan addressed the issues
related to legal equality and the prohibition of discrimination. The works
carried out in the direction of protection and promotion of the rights of
national minorities, which are one of the most important priorities of the
Human Rights Defender, were presented. The Defender also spoke about promotion
of gender equality, prevention of domestic violence and a number of other
issues.
Concluding
her speech, Anahit Manasyan expressed her willingness to continue and further
develop high-level cooperation with the Council of Europe.
The
action plan is a package of continuous reforms that envisages increasing the
efficiency of the judicial and legal system of RA, fighting against corruption,
cybercrimes, biomedicine, improving healthcare in penitentiary institutions,
strengthening the probation system, strengthening the rights of women, children,
national minorities, and social rights, as well as fighting against
discrimination and reforms in the field of local self-government.
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