Fostering human rights in the armed forces in Armenia

Back Armenian professionals explore Dutch expertise in human rights in the Armed Forces

Anna SAHAKYAN

Modified 1 Year ago.

Armenian professionals explore Dutch expertise in human rights in the Armed Forces

A delegation of Armenian professional working on human rights in the armed forces comprising representatives from the Ministry of Defence, the Human Rights Defender’s Office, the Prosecutor’s Office, the Office of the Representative on International Legal Matters, and the Investigative Committee conducted a study visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands on 21-23 January 2025.

The visit aimed at strengthening co-operation on human rights, and legal matters within the armed forces. The highlights of the visit included discussions at the Dutch Ministry of Defence on civilian harm mitigation and policies for protecting civilians, as well as a meeting with the leadership of the NATO-accredited Centre of Excellence to explore ways to improve education and training on human rights in the armed forces.

Significant exchanges included meetings with the Netherlands Veteran Institute, Military Ombudsman, and National Ombudsman, where the Armenian delegation addressed human rights challenges within the armed forces.

Another important focus of the study visit was a discussion on mental health care and women's protection, including a meeting with a representative from UN Women. Discussions with the Government Agent’s Office for the European Court of Human Rights strengthened collaboration on applying human rights standards in military contexts.

Finally, the visit focused on legal co-operation, with meetings involving the Military Court, Military Police, and Military Prosecution Office. These discussions addressed criminal justice issues within the armed forces.

This visit is part of the Council of Europe action plan for Armenia 2023-2026, in the framework of the project “Fostering human rights in the armed forces in Armenia”.

THE NETHERLANDS 21-23 JANUARY 2025

Diminuer la taille du texte
Augmenter la taille du texte
Imprimer la page

View all news

Start Date: 01 January 2023

Duration: 24 months

Funding: EUR 600 000

Donor: Donors contributing to the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023–2026

Partners: Ministry of Defence; Ministry of Justice; Office of the Representative of the Republic of Armenia on International Legal Matters; Human Rights Defender’s Office; Justice Academy, Marshal A. Khanperyants Military Aviation University of the Ministry of Defence of Armenia, Military University named after V. Sargsyan of the Ministry of Defence of Armenia, Military Police, Court of Cassation.

Results of the Project: Members of the armed forces enjoy better protection of human and social rights and women’s role in the military is empowered.

As a result of the Project:
1. The framework and mechanisms to prevent and address human rights violations in the armed forces are further aligned with European human rights standards;
2. The armed forces personnel implement a human rights policy in the armed forces, in line with Council of Europe principles and recommendations, with a specific attention to matters related to social protection and health care rights of military personnel, including women and veterans.

Objectives:

The Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Justice, HRDO, judicial and law enforcement bodies engage with CoE experts in revising the relevant policies, legal and regulatory frameworks with a view to։ a) ensure prevention of human rights violations in the armed forces, and effective examination thereto, and b) to enable stronger internal systems to detect, record and prevent alleged human rights violations in the army;
Relevant services of the MoD possess the expertise to revise and/or develop internal regulatory instruments and procedures to ensure effective application of gender equality, healthcare and social guarantees into the daily life of military servicepersons;
Armed forces personnel, law-enforcement and judicial bodies, the HRDO have enhanced knowledge and skills to effectively address human rights violations in the army through application of European human rights standards in their respective functions;
Professional and operational capacities of relevant entities responsible for ensuring and promoting the enhancement of participation of women serviceperson within the military are further strengthened;
The policymakers and relevant actors in the armed forces introduce and apply a human rights-based approach in line with the CoE standards in the armed forces, military education, research and awareness raising activities.

Reference documents