Back Armenia promoting human rights in mental health through HELP Course

Armenia promoting human rights in mental health through HELP Course

The Council of Europe is committed to strengthening the protection of persons with mental health conditions and improving mental health care through a human rights-based approach.

In this context, the Council of Europe  HELP Course on “Mental Health and Human Rights” was developed in 2024 to support aligning national healthcare with European standards.

Designed using HELP methodology and in close co-ordination with the Council of Europe Steering Committee for Human Rights in the fields of Biomedicine and Health (CDBIO), the course is tailored to the learning needs of legal and healthcare professionals working with people with mental health issues.

The Course is relevant not only for Armenia but also for other Council of Europe member states, as it supports increased knowledge of applicable human rights standards among health-care and legal professionals, as well other relevant stakeholders. It also addresses the rights of persons in particularly vulnerable situations, including migrants and refugees, and persons deprived of liberty.

The course was adapted to the Armenian domestic framework in 2025, following the certification of 18 tutors.  On 5 June 2026, health-care and legal professionals working in the field of mental health gathered to mark the successful completion of the four cohorts and the launch of two new cohorts. Graduates of the training program underlined the practical relevance of the course, noting its comprehensive coverage of European Court of Human Rights case law, comparative legal frameworks and international good practice. One of participants described the curriculum as  “content-rich and deeply engaging”.

“The course will undoubtedly contribute to improving our practical knowledge needed to identify and contribute to the improvement of the national legislation in this particular field and to support the application of human rights standards for persons with mental health conditions at the national level”, mentioned one of the participants.

The event was organised by the Council of Europe as part of its Project on “Protection of Human Rights in Biomedicine III” implemented within the framework of the  Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026. 

YEREVAN, ARMENIA 5 JUNE 2026
  • Diminuer la taille du texte
  • Augmenter la taille du texte
  • Imprimer la page
What is the goal and objective of the project?

Building upon the results achieved from the successful implementation of the first two phases of the Council of Europe Project “Protection of Human Rights in Biomedicine”  implemented within the Action Plans for Armenia 2019-2022 and 2023-2026, respectively, this Project intends to further support Armenian authorities to harmonise domestic legislation in the field of biomedicine and healthcare with the European standards enshrined in the 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, known as the Oviedo Convention, which is the only legally binding international instrument in the area of protection of human rights in the field of biomedicine․

As a result of the fruitful cooperation between the Council of Europe and the national authorities, the Republic of Armenia signed the Oviedo Convention in May 2024, and expressed its further commitment towards protection of human rights in the field of biomedicine by preparing to ratify it.

Based on the results and lessons learned from the previous phases of the project, this Project will provide support at policy and operational level assisting authorities to accomplish reform goals in the field of healthcare and specifically will focus on:

  • Supporting national authorities in their efforts to bring the legal framework in the biomedical field in line with the European standards and namely the Oviedo Convention;
  • Supporting healthcare and legal professionals to apply practices and institutional mechanisms which are better aligned with the standards enshrined in the Oviedo Convention;
  • Promoting patient-centred approach in the field of healthcare;
  • Promoting public dialogue on healthcare issues;
  • Supporting to the integration of healthcare professionals from Karabakh region into the healthcare system in the Republic of Armenia.

As part of its comprehensive response package to the refugee influx in Armenia, the project will continue supporting national authorities at integrating refugee healthcare professionals from Karabakh region into the healthcare system in Armenia.

 Start date: 1 January 2025

 Duration: 24 months

 Funding: EUR 600,000, donors contributing to the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023–2026

Contact person: Ms Meri Katvalyan, Senior Project Officer

Who benefits from the project?
  • Ministry of Health
  • Human Rights Defender’s Office
  • Standing Committee on Healthcare of the National Assembly
  • Standing Committee on Human Rights and Public Affairs of the National Assembly
  • Ministry of Justice
  • Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
  • National Institute of Health
  • Yerevan State Medical University
  • general public
How does the project work?

The cooperation project in the area of protection of human rights in biomedicine will be 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 consider enhancing human rights protection in the field of biomedicine as one of their priorities. 

What do we expect to achieve?
  • 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.
Reference documents
Videos

Oviedo Convention protecting human rights in the field of biomedicine

 

Armenia: Oviedo Convention 

 

Interview with the Chair of the Ethics Committee of Health Care Professionals

 

Oviedo Convention ratified by Armenia