Back The Council of Europe promotes a child rights-based and participatory approach to healthcare

Key national stakeholders in Armenia and Council of Europe officials and experts jointly discussed the importance of involving children in decision-making processes concerning their health
The Council of Europe promotes a child rights-based and participatory approach to healthcare

European human rights instruments recognise that children are rights holders with a progressively evolving ability to make their own decisions. This reflects a change in the general perception of the autonomy and protection of children regarding their capacity to participate in decision-making about their health.

On 19 November 2024 the Council of Europe organised an expert discussion focusing on the “Involvement of children in decision-making processes concerning their health” based on the Council of Europe Guide to Children’s participation in decisions about their health prepared jointly by the Steering Committee for Human Rights in the fields of Biomedicine and Health (CDBIO) and Steering Committee for the Rights of the Child (CDENF).

The focus of the discussion was the role of policymakers, healthcare professionals, and other professionals involved in supporting and promoting children to participate in the process of decision making concerning their personal health.

The event brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the National Assembly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labour and Social Rights, the Human Rights Defender’s Office, the Chamber of Advocates, international organisations, NGOs alongside Council of Europe officials and experts in the area.

Opening the event Laurence Lwoff, Head of Human Rights and Biomedicine Division and Zaruhi Gasparyan, Head of Co-operation and Capacity Building Unit in the Children's Rights Division of the Council of Europe, highlighted the importance of meaningful child participation and determining children's best interests, which are the foundational ideas behind the Guide presented at the event. Commending the Armenian government for its healthcare initiatives, they reaffirmed the readiness of the organisation to assist in promoting child rights-based and participatory approaches to healthcare.

The participants discussed the international legal framework and main differences in national legislations within Council of Europe member states and the good practices, as well as the domestic legal and policy framework in the field of child-centred healthcare services in light of the European human rights standards and the current policy reforms implemented by the Ministry of Health in the field of child health protection.

This discussion marked a step forward to the promotion of child rights-based practices and fostered collaboration between government bodies and international partners in this field.

The expert-discussion was organised by the Council of Europe as part of its projects “Protection of Human Rights in Biomedicine II” and “Protecting the Rights of Armenian Children in Post-Conflict Context” implemented within the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026. 

 

 

 

YEREVAN, ARMENIA 19 NOVEMBER 2024
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 Start date: 1 January 2023

 Duration: 24 months

 Funding: EUR 900,000

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

Partners: Ministry of Health; Human Rights Defender’s Office; Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs; Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport (MESCS), Standing Committee of Healthcare and Social Affairs of the National Assembly, National Institute of Health of theRepublic of Armenia; Yerevan State Medical University.

The project was the logical continuation of the first ever and extremely successful cooperation project in the sphere of the protection of Human Rights in biomedicine I, implemented within the Action plan for Armenia 2019-2022. Given the impressive impact on health-related aspects, for individuals and the society as a whole, of the Covid-19 pandemic, the cooperation in this field between the Council of Europe and the Republic of Armenia has become even more relevant. The large number of severe cases raises major ethical and human rights challenges that professionals and competent authorities have to address in tackling the pandemic and in taking care of their patients’ health.

Based on the results and lessons learned from the previous Project,  this Project aimed at contributing to enhance awareness of the European  human rights’ and ethical standards in the field of biomedicine (e.g. informed  consent to any medical intervention,  the importance of medical secret and confidentiality, voluntary non-remunerated organ donation,  preservation of genetic heritage) and to support national authorities in their efforts to align  national legislation and practice in the field of biomedicine and healthcare with the European  human rights’ and ethical standards in the field of biomedicine. It also contributed to preparing Armenia for joining  the Convention on the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with regard to the Application of Biology and Medicine of the Council of Europe (The Oviedo Convention) is the only legally binding international instrument establishing framework applicable both to day-to-day medicine and to new technologies in the biomedical field.

The Project focused on:

  • Supporting the national authorities in their efforts to bring the legal norms in the field of biomedicine and healthcare closer to the European human rights and ethical standards.
  • Further establishing the Ethics Committee for healthcare professionals, as well as strengthening the capacities of healthcare professionals on adopted ethical rules for the best interest and protection of patients' rights;
  • Strengthening healthcare and legal practitioners’ skills and capacities to apply human rights and ethical standards (e.g. informed consent for medical intervention, protection of private life and right  to information,  non-discrimination, transplantation of organs and tissues, provision of mental health services, reproductive health rights and etc.).
  • Supporting the development of public dialogue on human rights issues in the field of biomedicine and healthcare.

The cooperation project in the area of protection of human rights in biomedicine was carried out in line with the priorities laid down in the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026.  As stated in the Action Plan, Armenian authorities together with the Council of Europe identified enhancing human rights protection in the field of biomedicine as one of their priorities.  
The Project contributed to the following specific outcomes of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia:

  • Relevant legal norms and law-enforcement practices are brought into line with the principles enshrined in the Oviedo Convention;
  • The overall level of human rights protection in the biomedical field is increased;
  • The overall level of public dialogue on health issues is improved;
  • Armenia is better prepared for the possible future ratification of the Oviedo Convention.

As part of its comprehensive response package to the refugee influx in Armenia, the project introduced a new component to support Armenian authorities in their efforts to fully integrate nearly 2000 healthcare professionals from Karabakh into the Armenian healthcare system, by enhancing their skills and capacities through training sessions and capacity-building activities. Additionally, the project addressed the mental health challenges of refugees, focusing mainly on healthcare professionals, by strengthening the skills of psychologists, social workers, and other professionals. Furthermore, through an extensive public outreach campaign, the project aimed to raise awareness of sensitive topics and issues related to refugees among the Armenian population.

Video on Ovideo Convention
 

 

Armenia: Oviedo Convention

 

Reference documents