As part of the Council of Europe activities for enhancing human rights framework and institutional capacities through insights into the human rights mechanisms of the Council of Europe 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 emphasis of the discussion was put specifically on refugee protection and human rights in biomedical fields.
The visit created an opportunity for Armenian representatives to share experiences and best practices with Council of Europe bodies. Together, they explored how the European Court of Human Rights judgments and standards are being implemented in Armenia. The discussions also covered such key issues as refugee protection and human rights in biomedicine.
Exchanges 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 exchanges on these topics provided valuable insights and fostered dialogue on critical issues affecting both Armenia and the broader European region.
This exchange 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 the Armenian and French human rights protection 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 staff capacity building. They highlighted the unique opportunity the study visit provided to gain first-hand insights into procedural aspects related to the execution of judgments and the role of national human rights institutions, as well as the indispensable professional networking and knowledge-sharing that will support their future efforts in the field.
The visit marked an achievement in helping the Armenian Human Rights Defender’s Office and National Assembly to better understand the Council of Europe human rights standards and mechanisms aimed at improved protection of human rights as part of Armenia-Council of Europe cooperation and Action Plan 2023-2026.
The visit not only strengthened ties with the Council of Europe but also facilitated a rich exchange of knowledge between the Council of Europe representatives and Armenian officials.
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.
