Armenia ratified the European Social Charter in 2004, however Article 11 of the Charter, which focuses on the right to health protection, is still awaiting ratification.
The signing of the Council of Europe Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (Oviedo Convention) in May 2024 highlights Armenia's ongoing commitment to ensuring equitable access to healthcare services.
On 27 September 2024 the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan organised a workshop focusing on the “Right to Protection of Health in the Framework of Article 11 of the European Social Charter and Article 3 of the Oviedo Convention.”
The event emphasized Armenia's commitment to human rights, particularly social rights, aligning with the ongoing reforms in the healthcare system of Armenia.
The workshop 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 alongside Council of Europe officials and experts in the area.
Opening the event Maxime Longangué, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan, commended the Armenian government for its healthcare initiatives and reaffirmed the readiness of the organisation to assist in harmonising the national legislation with European standards.
Keynote speeches were delivered by Lena Nanushyan, First Deputy Minister of Health of the Republic of Armenia and Samvel Mkrtchyan, Head of the European Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Prof. Karin Lukas, Former President of the European Committee of Social Rights and Laurence Lwoff, Head of Human Rights and Biomedicine Division of the Council of Europe
The workshop marked a significant step towards enhancing the protection of health rights in Armenia and fostered collaboration between government bodies and international partners.
The workshop resulted in a strengthened commitment to ensuring equitable healthcare access and aligning Armenian legislation with European standards, especially as the country progresses towards a comprehensive health insurance system.
The workshop was organised by the Council of Europe in the framework of its projects “Protection of Human Rights in Biomedicine II” and “Enhancing Social Human Rights in Armenia” implemented within the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026.
Background note: The right to protection of health is a fundamental right guaranteed in many international instruments, such as the European Social Charter of the Council of Europe (Charter). Article 3 of the Council of Europe Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (Oviedo Convention), as the only legally binding instrument on protection of human rights in the field of biomedicine, requires equitable access to healthcare of appropriate quality, i.e. considering health needs and available resources, countries shall take appropriate measures within their jurisdiction to provide equitable access to health care services of appropriate quality.
