Social Rights

On 27 September 2024, the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan hosted a key workshop on the "Right to Health Protection in the Framework of Article 11 of the European Social Charter and Article 3 of the Oviedo Convention". This event underlines Armenia's commitment to social rights and coincides with ongoing reforms in the country's healthcare system.

Armenia ratified the European Social Charter in 2004, but Article 11, which specifically addresses the right to protection of health, remains pending ratification. The recent signing of the Oviedo Convention in May 2024 reinforces Armenia's commitment to promoting equitable access to health services.

The workshop brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the National Assembly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Labour and Social Rights and the Human Rights Defender's Office, as well as Council of Europe officials and experts in the field.

The Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan, Mr Maxime Longangué, opened the event, commending the Armenian government for its initiatives in the field of health care and expressing the Council of Europe's readiness to assist in aligning national legislation with European standards. Keynote speakers included Ms Heriknaz Tigranyan, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Affairs, Mr Paruyr Hovhannisyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ms Lena Nanushyan, First Deputy Minister of Health.

Prof. Karin Lukas, former President of the European Committee of Social Rights, gave a detailed presentation on Article 11 of the European Social Charter, its implementation and benefits for ensuring the highest possible standard of health. The work of the Council of Europe in the field of biomedicine was presented by Prof. Fabio Macioce, Professor of Philosophy of Law, Lumsa University. Further insights were provided by Ms Laurence Lwoff and Ms Tanya Montanari from the Council of Europe Secretariat.

Discussions highlighted the need for equitable access to health care and the need to align Armenian legislation with European standards, particularly as the country moves towards a comprehensive health insurance system. The workshop was an important step towards improving the protection of health rights in Armenia and fostering cooperation between government bodies and international partners.

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.