On December 2, the Human Rights Defender Ms. Anahit
Manasyan visited communities with Yezidi population in Aragatsotn province.
The visit was organized jointly with the Deputy of
National Assembly, Representative of the Yazidi community in the National
Assembly, Deputy Chair of Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and
Public Affairs Mr. Rustam Bakoyan. UNICEF Representative in Armenia Ms. Christine
Weigand, and members of Standing Committee also participated in the visit.
A visit was conducted through the rural communities of
Arevut, Kanch and Hako, where Ms. Manasyan and the participants of the visit
held conversations with the residents, and got acquainted with their living
conditions. Based on the instructions of the Defender, the problems raised by
the residents were registered. The participants visited the schools of the
above-mentioned communities, and talked with the students and teaching staff.
Problems related to the lack of medical centers, pharmacies, stores and
transport were registered in all the communities.
Inter alia, representatives of the Yezidi community noted
that there are no high schools in their communities, which causes problems for
children to continue their education in the future. The building conditions of
educational institutions are in poor state: there is no central heating system,
classroom furnishings are inadequate, and gyms are not usable.
Ms. Manasyan specifically emphasizes that the rights of
national minorities must be fully protected and promoted in Armenia.
Regarding the rights of the child, the Defender
specifically emphasizes that the best interests of the child and the protection
of their rights are among the priorities of the Human Rights Defender, and the
role of the state in ensuring and protecting children's rights is paramount.
“From the perspective of protecting the rights of the
child, it is paramount to take comprehensive and effective measures to create a
favorable educational environment” emphasized Ms. Manasyan.
The Human Rights Defender noted that all the registered
issues, which are within her competencies, will be summarized and presented to
the competent state bodies.
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