Council of Europe’s “Promoting Equality and Non-Discrimination in Armenia” project in close co-operation with the Human Rights Defender’s Office of the Republic of Armenia, organised the Session of the Public Council on the protection and promotion of the rights of persons belonging to national minorities adjunct to the Human Rights Defender. The Session became the second one supported by the Project since the inaugural meeting in November 2023.
The event, attended by the members of the National Assembly of Armenia representing national minorities, Deputy Minister and representatives of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia, as well as the national minority groups and individuals, focused on the issues and challenges related to the preservation of the language of national minorities in the context of combating discrimination. The established platform was utilised by the national minorities to highlight the needs existing in their communities. Special attention was paid to the importance of inclusion of children belonging to national minorities in preschool education, as well as the availability of appropriate textbooks.
The participants had opportunity to learn more about relevant European standards, including the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The Draft Law on National Minorities, supported with the opinion of Council of Europe’s Venice Commission and Anti-discrimination Department, was also discussed between minority organisations and members of Parliament highlighting need to create the conditions necessary for the effective participation of persons belonging to national minorities in cultural, social and economic life and in public affairs, in particular those affecting them.
The event was organised in cooperation between Human Rights Defender’s Office and project “Promoting equality and non-discrimination in Armenia”, part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme Partnership for Good Governance, co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe.