As a result of monitoring of the mass media and social
media networks by the Human Rights Defender's Office, information was received
that "Five Human Rights Defenders" Initiative referred to the Human
Rights Defender's statement, making an assessment of the Defender's activities.
We consider it necessary to emphasize that the protection
of children's rights and monitoring of the implementation of the UN Convention
on the Rights of the Child are the most important functions of the Human Rights
Defender. Attempts to present these responsibilities as secondary are frequent
and are often reinforced by actors working in the legal field. We consider it
necessary to emphasize that this practice is unacceptable, and any obstruction
of the exercise of the mandate of the Human Rights defender in the field of
children's rights or the formation of false public perceptions regarding this
mandate is prohibited by international standards. Naturally, this issue should
become a subject of discussion by competent international bodies.
We find it unacceptable to use issues related to human
rights—particularly children’s rights—and the "use" of children to
serve goals unrelated to rights or to gain public attention. Once again, we
emphasize that making children vulnerable and ignoring their best interests
must be ruled out, and no actor has the right to hinder the activities of the
Human Rights Defender and the Human Rights Defender’s Office in this area,
which are aligned with international standards.
We consider it unacceptable to exploit on the content of
the Human Rights Defender’s statement, where the formulations regarding the
colleague lawyer and other actors are presented with sufficient sensitivity and
adherence to ethical norms.
As for the matter of detention in the specific case
mentioned, any practicing lawyer in Armenia is fully aware that the Human
Rights Defender is legally prohibited from interfering in judicial proceedings
or the work of judges. Therefore, the lack of an opportunity for the Defender
to express a position on a specific case that involves a court decision is
obvious. Moreover, any lawyer is aware that there are many cases in the world
when women are deprived of their liberty, many of whom have young children.
This is not an exceptional case, and it is necessary to address the issue by
thoroughly discussing all the details and circumstances in order to form a
final position—rather than attempting to gain public dividends by “exploiting”
the case and the child. This issue is in the focus of the Human Rights
Defender's attention and we reaffirm our approach that without forming a
sufficiently substantiated point of view, it will not be presented publicly.
This issue is in the direct attention of the Human Rights Defender and we
reaffirm our approach that without forming a sufficiently substantiated point of
view, it will not be presented publicly. As a result of the analysis of the
necessary information and in compliance with the legislative restrictions
provided for the Human Rights Defender, the position of the Defender will be
presented publicly in the near future.
The Defender remains committed to protecting the rights
of both the detained woman and her child, and is ready to provide support to
the lawyer if necessary.
Regarding other rights-related issues in the mentioned
case, several of them have already been resolved through the intervention of
the Human Rights Defender.
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