Fostering human rights in the armed forces in Armenia

Back Fostering effective execution of the European Court judgments on armed forces

Anna SAHAKYAN

Modified 1 Year ago.

Inter-agency workshop for Armenian state institutions: Muradyan Group of Cases: Prevention and Effective Investigation of Suicides in the Armenian armed forces

Fostering effective execution of the European Court judgments on armed forces

Representatives of Armenian public institutions responsible for implementing human rights in the armed forces strengthened their knowledge to more effectively implement the requirements set forth by the European Court of Human Rights, and to bring to life the general measures defined by the Committee of Ministers.

The workshop was dedicated to the topic of execution of European Court judgments on Muradyan Group of Cases relating to non-combat death cases in the Armenian armed forces. Early-detection and prevention of suicides of military servicepersons were in the focus of the event.

Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan, Maxime Longangué, highlighted that the full execution of the Court judgments against Armenia will not only fulfilll the international obligations of Armenia as a member state, but will also significantly improve the human rights situation in the Armenian army.

The Ombudsperson, Anahit Manasyan stressed the importance of developing a comprehensive strategy aimed at prevention of suicides and self-harm in the armed forces, enhancing the capacities of military psychologists and military lawyers in parallel.

Head of the Division of Transversal Challenges and Multilateral Projects of the Council of Europe, Tigran Karapetyan underlined the Council of Europe’s efforts aimed at tackling the root causes of the human rights violations in the armed forces and reaffirmed the Organisation’s commitment to further support in strengthening the human rights safeguards in the Armenian army.

Staff members of the Office of the Representative on International Legal Matters addressed issues related to the status of execution of the Court judgments, emphasising the latest recommendations by the Committee of Ministers.

While representatives of the Ministry of Defence and General Staff of the armed forces updated on the measures taken towards strengthening the mechanisms of prevention of suicide and self-harm in the army.

The participants provided their institutional insights on the protection of right to life of military servicepersons.

The workshop proved a step forward to further enhance the mechanisms for better protecting the right to life of military personnel.

The Council of Europe remains committed to implementing human rights in the armed forces of Armenia as part of its cooperation and 2023-2026 Action Plan for Armenia.

The workshop was organised within the framework of the Project “Fostering Human Rights in the Armed Forces in Armenia” implemented under the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023 – 2026.

YEREVAN, ARMENIA 26 SEPTEMBER 2024

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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