On
December 1, at the initiative of the Human Rights Defender and with the support
of the Raoul Wallenberg Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, a
conference on the topic “Accessibility: Nothing About Us Without Us” was held,
dedicated to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The
event was attended by members of the National Assembly, representatives of the
executive branch, civil society organizations, sectoral experts, as well as
individuals interested in the topic. The opening remarks were made by the Human
Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia Ms. Anahit Manasyan and the Director
of the Armenian Office of the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and
Humanitarian Law Ms. Laura Milne.
Ms.
Anahit Manasyan emphasized the importance of ensuring accessibility and the
need for cooperation between state institutions, civil society and
international partners in this area: “The results of the monitoring of the
Human Rights Defender’s Office indicate that, unfortunately, problems related
to ensuring accessibility continue to be recorded in newly constructed and
reconstructed buildings. These problems affect human dignity and opportunities
for independent living. Accessibility should be considered not as an additional
requirement, but as a mandatory standard in all programs implemented by state
and community bodies, the private sector and non-governmental
organizations.”
The
Defender specifically emphasized that the involvement of persons with
disabilities, as well as non-governmental organizations working to protect their
rights, is essential in the decision-making process.
In
conclusion, Ms. Anahit Manasyan reaffirmed her commitment to continue working
to protect, promote and ensure inclusiveness of persons with disabilities in
society.
The
Human Rights Defender's ad hoc public report entitled "Issues related to
ensuring accessibility for persons with disabilities in the building conditions
of newly constructed, reconstructed, and renovated buildings and
structures" was presented within the framework of the conference. Panel
discussions were also held within the framework of the conference. During the
first panel discussion, problems related to ensuring accessibility were
referred. The discussion was attended by Member of the National Assembly Ms.
Zaruhi Batoyan, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Ms. Tatevik
Stepanyan, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Ms.
Araksia Svajyan, and First Deputy Chairman of the Urban Development Committee
Mr. Davit Grigoryan. The panel discussion was moderated by the Human Rights
Defender Ms. Anahit Manasyan.
During
the second panel discussion, improved mechanisms for the participation of
persons with disabilities in the monitoring activities of the Human Rights
Defender were discussed. The discussion was attended by Ms. Aksana
Ghahramanyan, Head of the Division for the Protection of the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities for the Implementation of Convention Mandates of the Human
Rights Defender's Office, Ms. Karine Grigoryan, President of the "AGAT"
Center for the Protection of the Rights of Women with Disabilities NGO, Ms.
Anush Aslanyan, President of the "Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities"
NGO, Mr. Suren Maghakyan, President of the "Full Life" NGO, and Mr.
Mushegh Hovsepyan, President of the "Disability Rights Agenda" human
rights NGO. The panel discussion was moderated by Ms. Lilit Aghajanyan, Acting
Head of the Department for the Implementation of Convention Mandates of the
Human Rights Defender's Office.
Within
the framework of the event, RWI Senior Researcher Ms. Anna Bruce presented
international standards on improved mechanisms for the participation of persons
with disabilities in the monitoring activities of the Human Rights Defender.
At
the end of the conference, the participants emphasized their willingness to
develop further steps towards strengthening cooperation and ensuring
accessibility.
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