The Human Rights Defender's Office is 20 years old: A high-level international conference has begun

22 October, 2024

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Human Rights Defender's Office, a two-day high-level international conference titled "Ombuds Institutions and NHRIs amid Turbulent Times: Resilience and Challenges" took place.

The event, held on October 21-22, was attended by the heads and representatives of Human Rights Defender institutions and equality bodies from over 15 Council of Europe member states. Mr. Michael O’Flaherty, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, delivered the keynote speech in an online format during the high-level international conference. The event was also attended by the Chair of the Board of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI), its members and the Secretary-General, as well as by the representative of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI).

On October 21, during the first day of the event, the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, Ms. Anahit Manasyan delivered a welcoming address. Opening remarks were made by the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, the President of Armenia, Vahagn Khachaturyan, and the Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia, Alen Simonyan. The opening speech by Maxim Longange, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Armenia, was also read.

The conference was attended by representatives from Armenia’s state bodies, civil society, embassies, international organizations, and experts from leading European human rights institutions and bodies.

This high-level conference was dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Human Rights Defender's Office of Armenia, the only national human rights and ombuds institution in the country.

The event highlights the critical role of national human rights and ombuds institutions in the effective protection and promotion of human rights and freedoms, as well as the importance of ensuring their institutional independence and impartiality.

This event is organised by the HRDO of Armenia in cooperation with the Council of Europe, it is implemented by the CoE’s Division of Co-operation Programmes under the project “Strengthening human rights safeguards for the displaced population in Armenia” and by the European Union and Council of Europe joint programme “Partnership for Good Governance”, co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe, in the framework of the project “Promoting equality and non-discrimination in Armenia”.

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