As part of the Council of Europe efforts to strengthen human rights frameworks and build institutional capacities, a delegation from the Office of Human Rights Defender and Standing Committee on Human Rights and Public Affairs of the National Assembly visited the Council of Europe institutions in Strasbourg and the Office of the Defender of Rights of France in Paris.
In Strasbourg, the delegation met with the representatives of the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights, the Department for the Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, and the European Programme for Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP). The delegation members also explored how the European Court of Human Rights judgments and standards are being implemented in Armenia.
The emphasis of the discussions was put specifically on refugee protection and human rights in biomedicine.
Engagements also covered lessons learned from internal displacement in Ukraine, rights outlined in the Oviedo Convention, healthcare access for refugees and migrants, and efforts to eliminate discrimination in healthcare.
These issues are particularly important given the challenges Armenia is currently facing, and elaborations on these topics provided valuable insights and fostered dialogue on critical issues affecting both Armenia and the broader European region.
This dialogue not only deepened understanding but also fostered collaboration on addressing these pressing concerns.
During their visit to the Office of the Defender of Rights of France in Paris, the delegation members had the opportunity to discuss key similarities and differences between respective human rights systems. These discussions enriched their understanding of effective institutional approaches.
The members of the delegation emphasized the crucial role of Council of Europe programs in advancing Armenia's human rights protection system, particularly in enhancing staff capacity. They also highlighted how the study visit offered first-hand insights into procedural aspects related to the execution of judgments and the role of national human rights institutions, as well as the benefits of professional networking and knowledge-sharing.
The visit marked an achievement in helping the Armenian Human Rights Defender’s Office and National Assembly better understand the Council of Europe human rights standards and mechanisms.
This kind of collaboration will lead to the creation of specific strategies aimed at improving refugee protection and advancing human rights in the field of biomedicine in Armenia.
The study visit was organised within the projects “Strengthening Human Rights Safeguards for the Displaced Population in Armenia” and “Protection of Human Rights in Biomedicine II” implemented within the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026.