Meeting between the Human Rights Defender of Armenia and the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights

03 February, 2026

On 3 February, the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia, Ms Anahit Manasyan, received the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dr Michael O’Flaherty.

Ms Anahit Manasyan expressed her gratitude to the Commissioner for his visit to Armenia and for the high-level cooperation with the Human Rights Defender’s Office.

During the meeting, a range of key issues in the field of human rights protection were discussed, including the protection of women’s rights, the process of ratification of the Istanbul Convention, the protection of the rights of forcibly displaced persons, challenges related to hate speech and freedom of religion, as well as the draft Law “On Ensuring Equality and Protection from Discrimination” , the challenges existing in the fields of equality and anti-discrimination, etc.

Ms Anahit Manasyan presented the activities undertaken to combat discrimination against women. In this context, the Defender reiterated the importance of ratifying the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence as a key step towards strengthening the protection of women’s rights and preventing domestic violence.

The Defender stressed the importance of educational reforms in overcoming stereotypes that perpetuate violence and inequality. She also addressed issues related to the protection of the rights of displaced persons, presenting the activities undertaken by the Human Rights Defender’s Office in this area.

Ms Anahit Manasyan underscored the importance of the adoption of the draft Law “On Ensuring Equality and Protection from Discrimination”, which provides for entrusting the Human Rights Defender with the mandate of the body responsible for ensuring equality and protection from discrimination. In this context, the interlocutors stressed the need to provide the responsible body with adequate resources.

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights expressed his gratitude to Ms. Anahit Manasyan for the warm reception and the comprehensive presentation of the results of the activities carried out, underscoring the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation aimed at the protection and promotion of human rights.

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