Conference on “Human Rights and the Army” organised by the Council of Europe on 26 March in Yerevan has concluded a 2,5-year Project on “Strengthening the application of European human rights standards in the armed forces in Armenia”.
The conference brought together Armenian officials, other national partners and stakeholders, civil society and academia to reflect on the state of play in the protection of human rights in the armed forces. More specifically, the discussions at the event concerned the legislative framework governing human rights in the army and enforcement practices; coordination between the relevant national and international actors called upon to protect human rights in the army; and challenges related to practical human rights work and awareness-raising among military personnel.
H.E. Ms Judith Farnworth, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Republic of Armenia, Minister of Justice Mr Artak Zeynalyan, Human Rights Defender Mr Arman Tatoyan, Government Agent before the European Court of Human Rights Mr Yeghishe Kirakosyan and Deputy Minister of Defence Mr Gabriel Balayan contributed to the conference.
When speaking at the event Mr Christophe Poirel, Director of Human Rights of the Council of Europe reaffirmed that the Council of Europe would continue to support the efforts Armenia is undertaking to strengthen the application of common European human rights standards in its armed forces. In turn, Ms Natalia Voutova, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan, thanked all partners and beneficiaries of the Project as well as the Government of the United Kingdom for their constant support and fruitful cooperation.
At the end of the conference certificates were awarded to 24 high and middle-rank officers responsible for integrity building measures for servicepersons and lawyers of the military corps who received training on human rights and will now act themselves as trainers to other military personnel.
The Project funded by the UK Government’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe was aimed at bringing closer to European standards Armenia’s legislative and regulatory frameworks and practice on human rights in the armed forces. It was the first Council of Europe’s country-specific co-operation Project to promote human rights in the army of a member state.