The Human
Rights Defender initiated a discussion procedure at his own initiative with
regard to the reorganization process of child-care and protection institutions.
In this
regard the Defender states:
1. The Human Rights Defender highlights
the crucial importance of the right of the child to live in a family, which the
Republic of Armenia has committed to ensure.
2. For years, a child-care and
protection institution was the main mean of providing support to children and
families in our country, which, however, contributed more to the deepening of
stereotypes and stigmatization with respect to the socially insecure children
and children with disabilities. Therefore, the existence of such institutions
is not in the best interest of the child. Moreover, the Human Rights Defender’s
examinations and unannounced visits show that there are many issues within
those institutions, including systemic ones.
3.
The process of closing and reorganizing child-care institutions shall be
carried out in accordance with the standards developed for that purpose.
4. Given
that the issue is sensitive and directly affects many people’s rights and
interests, the Human Rights Defender considers it necessary to inform parents,
teachers, children and the society on the reorganization process of special
institutions. It should be conducted by the authorized bodies within their
competencies. In this regard the Defender will support his partners.
5. Taking
into account the successful examples, the issue of establishment of
organizations providing new services instead of the reorganizing institutions, should
also be considered.
6. Given the published concerns regarding this process, the Defender will send official
letters to the competent bodies requesting clarifications in the frames of the
discussion procedure started at his own initiative. Particularly, official
letters will be addressed to the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and
Sport, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Yerevan Municipality, as well
as to other relevant bodies in case of necessity. The issue of schools’ capacities
to evaluate the needs of children and families, to provide the necessary
support them, as well as educational services to children with special
educational needs will be raised along with others issues.
Attention
will be paid to the employment issue of the reorganizing institutions’ staff.
The Human Rights Defender values the cooperation with all the partners,
including with the relevant authorities in these matters.
Taking into
consideration that the Defender has a mandate of an independent monitoring body
provided by the relevant UN conventions, the Human Rights Defender continues to
give special attention to the reorganization process of child-care and
protection institutions.
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