Back Round table in Yerevan highlights Armenia’s progress toward ratifying Article 11 of the European Social Charter

Round table in Yerevan highlights Armenia’s progress toward ratifying Article 11 of the European Social Charter

The Council of Europe held a high-level round table to advance the ratification of Article 11 of the European Social Charter, which enshrines the right to the protection of health.

The event brought together representatives of the Government of Armenia, the National Assembly, the Human Rights Defender’s Office, World Health Organisation and international experts, including members of the European Committee of Social Rights and the Council of Europe Secretariat.

Participants discussed the importance of ensuring access to quality health care for all, addressing health inequalities, and reinforcing institutional capacities to protect the most vulnerable. Representatives from the Ministries of Health, Labour and Social Affairs, Finance, and Foreign Affairs, as well as the National Assembly Standing Committees on Health Care, Labour and Social Affairs, and Human Rights, exchanged perspectives on the legal, financial, and policy implications of ratification.

International experts highlighted that the right to health, as guaranteed by the European Social Charter, complements the protection afforded by the European Convention on Human Rights, by imposing positive obligations on states to promote health and prevent illness. The discussion also drew on comparative experiences from other Council of Europe member states, showcasing how ratification can enhance accountability, public health governance, and equity in access to health services.

The round table reaffirmed the Council of Europe’s continued support to Armenia in advancing social rights and promoting the country’s ongoing alignment with European standards. It concluded with a shared commitment by all stakeholders to deepen cooperation and move forward towards the ratification of Article 11.

The event was organised within the framework of the project “Enhancing Social Human Rights in Armenia”, which is part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023–2026.

YEREVAN, ARMENIA 13 NOVEMBER 2025
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What is the goal and objective of the project?

The project “Enhancing social human rights in Armenia” is part of the comprehensive response package launched by the Council of Europe to address the refugee influx in Armenia. The project is designed to support the Armenian authorities in addressing pressing social and economic rights challenges. As an integral part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia for 2023- 2026, it aims at enhancing the protection of social rights in Armenia in line with international standards to respond to crisis situations.

 Start Date: 01 January 2024

 Duration: 36 months

 Funding: EUR 950 000, Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026

Contact person: Mariam ALEKSANYAN, Senior Project Officer

Who benefits from the project?
How does the project work?

The cooperation project will be carried out in line with the priorities laid down in the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia for 2023- 2026 .

What do we expect to achieve?

The project underscores the foundational role of social rights in democracy building and will focus on accomplishing the following outcomes:

  • Provide expert support for aligning national legislation on housing, employment, vocational training, and labour rights with European standards, adopting a comprehensive, gender-sensitive approach.
  • Empowering national authorities to harmonise policies and practices with European standards, ensuring proper protection and implementation of social rights.
  • Strengthening the decision-makers' awareness of the procedure for accepting new provisions of the European Social Charter and the Collective Complaints procedure.
  • Capacity development for staff from the Human Rights Defender's Office, civil society organisations and legal professionals to effectively implement and monitor adherence to social rights in line with the European Social Charter and the case-law of the European Committee of Social Rights.
  • Enhancing awareness among displaced individuals and people from vulnerable groups about their rights and entitlements, emphasising their social rights and the availability of social services. Simultaneously, it seeks to elevate the understanding of national and local authorities concerning their roles, responsibilities, and the provision of social services at both national and local levels.”
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