Armenia achieves significant progress in Human Rights protection - Vassilis Maragos

YEREVAN, JULY 17, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has achieved significant success in the field of human rights protection, but this does not mean that work in this direction is completed; it is necessary to ensure that Armenian institutions meet the requirements of citizens.

 The head of the EU delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, expressed this opinion at the presentation of the program “Promoting the protection of human rights and strengthening national institutions”, implemented jointly by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund.

 “Human rights concern everyone, human rights are a partnership. This should be a process that unites us,” said Maragos, expressing the opinion that it is necessary to understand how important it is to work together on human rights issues, and at the same time be sure that the institutions of Armenia are committed to democracy, further development of capacities these institutions and meeting the needs of citizens.

 He noted that the above observations are requirements for partnership with the European Union. According to him, the European Union supports the protection of human rights not only in many partner countries, but throughout the world.

 This area is also at the center of the partnership between Armenia and the EU.

 “Armenia has made many achievements in these areas, but this does not mean that the work is completed. That is why we continue to work together,” Maragos emphasized, adding that it is very important that all relevant institutions and professional circles of Armenia are involved in this process.

He emphasized that the goal of these joint works is to share with Armenia the experience that the EU has in order to help and support all reforms implemented by the relevant institutions of Armenia. In this context, the head of the EU delegation emphasized the importance of civil society participation.

 “I would like to welcome the presence of a representative of the Chamber of Advocates. I would like to note the participation of lawyers, because they play a very important role in the protection of human rights, they are also important actors between society and state institutions,” said Maragos.

He said that the launch of the project would last three years and expressed hope that over time it would bring a certain set of sustainable results.

“I would like to emphasize the importance of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between Armenia and the EU. I would like to emphasize that Armenia is fulfilling its numerous obligations, which are determined by the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement with the European Union. I would like to emphasize Armenia’s commitment to the UN Convention on the Death Penalty, the obligations undertaken before the Council of Europe and the ratification of the Rome Statute, which took place several months ago, and we are actively working on its implementation,” Maragos said, emphasizing that EU-Armenia relations will now develop and go deeper through a new partnership program.

The head of the EU delegation thanked the Armenian authorities and Armenian civil society for the constant dialogue on the topic of human rights, which brings many concrete elements to the Armenia-EU bilateral cooperation.

“In addition to the field of human rights, the European Union has also invested in justice reforms in Armenia. This is also another perspective related to human rights, because the justice that is ensured for citizens is an institution of human rights. I also want to emphasize the importance of working on the fight against corruption. Yesterday we had a very important political dialogue on justice and the fight against corruption. Again, there are many achievements, but there are also many challenges. All these areas need improvement,” Maragos said, expressing the view that inclusiveness of all social sectors is very important in implementing human rights reforms.