Human rights protection top priority for Armenia, says Deputy FM

Ensuring and protecting human rights are among the main priorities of Armenia, Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Abisoghomonyan said on Tuesday.

He made the remarks at an event marking the launch of AI-NEMRA, Armenia’s Institutional Network for Monitoring and Reporting. The digital tool is an online platform through which all relevant state governing bodies can interact with each other to enhance the effectiveness of implementing international commitments in the field of human rights and the recommendations issued by international monitoring bodies, and to monitor the implementation of these commitments through information exchange, enhancing transparency for the public. 

“This is a great opportunity for all of us to mark Human Rights Day by presenting to the world a new and unique digital platform that unites the fields of human rights, technology, diplomacy, and innovation. I would like to thank our partners—the UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia and the Council of Europe Office—for the long-standing, effective, and trustworthy cooperation established in the field of human rights,” Abisoghomonyan noted in his speech.

He noted that the network aimed at strengthening international accountability in the field of human rights incorporates the commitments undertaken by Armenia within the human rights architecture of the UN and the Council of Europe.

According to the Deputy Minister, it is these commitments—together with the obligations enshrined in international conventions—that shape Armenia’s image and identity of accountability in the field of human rights, as a responsible and principled member of the global community as well as of the Council of Europe in the region, he said.

“Armenia’s monitoring network in the field of human rights reflects our country’s commitment to establishing a modern, efficient, and participatory system of continuous monitoring. In this regard, it is fully aligned with the priorities defined by Armenia’s digitalization strategy and with the vision of making public administration more open, transparent, and understandable for the public. The network was developed taking into account the recommendations formulated by the UN, aimed at strengthening international accountability and enhancing monitoring capacities in the field of human rights at the national level,” the Deputy Minister said.

“Ensuring and protecting human rights are among the primary objectives of the Republic of Armenia. The Government considers the restoration of violated rights a priority, and—most importantly—the continuous implementation of guaranteeing human rights and freedoms, institutional protection, and a consistent policy framework, as enshrined in the Government’s 2021–2026 program. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the coordinating body for a unified foreign policy in the field of human rights, attaches importance to fully reflecting these priorities in our foreign policy agenda and within the scope of diplomatic activities,” Deputy Minister Abisoghomonyan said.

According to him, in the field of international cooperation on human rights, Armenia continues to play an active and principled role in combating manifestations of discrimination, intolerance, and hatred. In particular, Armenia makes an important contribution to international efforts aimed at the prevention of genocide, the Deputy FM said, stressing that the UN calendar is marking December 9 as international day of commemorating victims of genocide and prevention of genocide at Armenia’s initiative.