On January 23, the Human Rights Defender of the Republic
of Armenia, Ms. Anahit Manasyan participated and spoke at the official launch
of the programme “Priorities Related to Children։ UNICEF-Government of Armenia
Cooperation Programme 2026–2030”.
Welcoming the participants, Ms. Anahit Manasyan
highlighted the importance of the event, organized through the cooperation of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and UNICEF, in terms
of discussing key issues related to children’s rights.
The Defender emphasized that the protection of children's
rights is a key priority for her and the Human Rights Defender’ Office, noting:
"Children's rights are not only important, but also must be considered
equally vital in the context of all other fields".
The Defender also emphasized the need to change public
perceptions, underscoring UNICEF’s crucial role in this process.
Ms. Anahit Manasyan expressed her gratitude to the entire
UNICEF team and in particular to UNICEF Representative in Armenia, Ms.
Christine Weigand, for her personal contribution to addressing sectoral
problems and finding solutions.
In her speech, the Defender referred to one of the
significant outcomes of cooperation with UNICEF—the activities of the Public
Council on the Protection of Children's Rights adjunct to the Human Rights
Defender — assessing it as one of the best practices in Armenia in making
children's voices heard, ensuring their participation and effectively
addressing sectoral problems.
Ms. Anahit Manasyan also spoke about a number of existing
challenges in the field, particularly issues related to access to preschool
education, the identification, response and prevention of violence against
children, protection of children’s personal data, exclusion from compulsory
education and the negative consequences arising from it. At the same time, the
Defender emphasized that despite the steps, programmes and legislative
amendments implemented by state bodies, many unresolved problems still remain.
Concluding her speech, Ms. Anahit Manasyan thanked UNICEF
Representative in Armenia, Ms. Christine Weigand on the occasion of the end of
her mission in Armenia for the long-standing and effective cooperation,
highlighting not only her high professional qualities but also her human
values.
Welcoming speeches at the event were delivered by the
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia H.E. Mr. Robert
Abisoghomonyan and the UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia Ms. Francoise Jacob.
The concluding observations of the UN Committee on the
Rights of the Child were also referred by Deputy Minister of Labor and Social
Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ms. Tatevik Stepanyan, as well as former
members of the the Public Council on the Protection of Children's Rights
adjunct to the Human Rights Defender, Ms.
Gohar Veranyan and Ms. Mariam Tonoyan.
The programme “Priorities Related to Children,
UNICEF-Government of Armenia Cooperation Programme 2026–2030” was presented by
Ms. Christine Weigand. In her concluding speech, she also expressed gratitude
to all partners for the joint and effective work.
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