Visit of Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Nils Muižnieksto Armenia.

12 October, 2014

On the 7th of October President Serzh Sargsyan received the delegation headed by the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Nils Muiznieks.

The president welcomed the guest and underscored that Armenia attaches great importance to the cooperation with the CoE, the chief guarantor of human rights in Europe, and its support of continuous reforms implemented in our country.

At the meeting the interlocutors touched upon the process of RA constitutional reforms, the implementation process of obligations assumed by Armenia after joining the CoE, including reforms in a number of directions. The Armenian President noted that in recent years Armenia has made consistent and, more importantly, continuous reforms aimed at enhancing the principles of democracy, protection of human rights and the rule of law. Armenia has made considerable progress in fulfilling its membership obligations with the support of the CoE which has yield to tangible and permanent results.

On October 9 the Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks was received by the NA President Galust Sahakyan.

At the meeting the parties discussed a number of issues concerning constitutional reforms, prohibition of violations against women, gender equality, as well as peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem and other questions.
According to the NA President, the priorities of Armenia’s chairmanship were fully consistent with the agenda items of the CoE member countries and the CoE organisation. He has opined that Armenia’s chairmanship was fulfilled rather successfully and balanced, and via the principle of dialogue with all the member countries.

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks has thanked the RA NA President for the reception and for the opportunity for the discussion of the existing problems. He has noted that he has already had meetings with the RA President, the Prime Minister, the Ministers, the officials of justice sphere and MPs. Nils Muižnieks has highlighted the problems concerning violence towards women and gender equality, and judicial system.

At the National Assembly Commissioner met also with representatives of the NA factions and groups.

On October 6, Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Nils Muižnieks was received by the Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan.

Noting Mr. Muižnieks’s valuable contribution to human rights, the Prime Minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to effective cooperation.
The parties discussed judiciary reform and gender equality in Armenia. Hovik Abrahamyan noted that the government is committed to solving the problems related to the protection of human rights and is taking steps to increase public confidence in the judicial system and promote women’s rights, including in particular a package of judicial reforms. A number of strategic programs and documents have been approved as part of the government’s gender policy.

The Women’s Affairs Council attached to the Prime Minister is actively engaged. The government is taking steps to increase women’s involvement in central and local government bodies.

Welcoming the adoption by the National Assembly of the law “On providing equal rights and equal opportunities for women and men,” Mr. Muižnieks stressed the need for continued implementation of reforms in the field of human rights. In this context, he underscored the importance of full implementation of the 2012-2014 Armenia-Council of Europe Action Plan, which is the basis for the Council of Europe’s support for judiciary and penal reforms in Armenia, as well as the effective application of the European Convention on Human Rights and others.

On the same day, October 6, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian also received Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Nils Muižnieks.
Welcoming the guest Minister Nalbandian highlighted the role of the Council of Europe, and particularly, the role of the Commissioner for Human Rights aimed at defending Human Rights in the CoE member- states.

Minister Nalbandian and Commissioner Muižnieks positively evaluated the implementation process of the Action Plan between Armenia and the CoE for the period 2012-2014.

Minister Nalbandian drew the attention of the Council of Europe Commissioner to the gross violation of the norms as well as basic principles of International Humanitarian Law in Azerbaijan as a result of which cruel treatment has been shown towards the Armenian civilians who find themselves in the territory of Azerbaijan, which very often causes their death.

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