Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan visits Bagratashen checkpoint on Armenian state border

Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan visited the Bagratashen checkpoint on the state border of the Republic of Armenia as part of a working visit to Tavush Province, the Office of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia said.

According to the Office, the Defender toured the premises, familiarised herself with the operation of the checkpoint, as well as the organisation of border-crossing procedures and efforts aimed at ensuring the rights of individuals during those procedures.

A number of issues related to the protection of human rights during border crossings were discussed on site, including issues concerning the protection of the rights of people in need of international protection and asylum seekers.

Anahit Manasyan emphasised the importance of ensuring international human rights protection standards at border checkpoints, stressing that every person must have the opportunity to fully exercise their fundamental rights, regardless of citizenship, legal status or other circumstances.

According to the Office, a number of issues concerning the effective protection of citizens’ rights, the continuous improvement of border-crossing procedures and the effective organisation of cooperation between the competent state bodies were discussed during the visit.

Particular attention was paid to issues concerning the protection of the rights of children and persons with disabilities crossing the state border.

The Defender stressed that Border Guard Troops personnel play an important role in ensuring the exercise of human rights. In this context, particular importance was attached to the continuous development of their professional capacities in the field of human rights protection.

Anahit Manasyan emphasised the importance of effective cooperation with the Border Guard Troops of the National Security Service.

The Human Rights Defender will continue, within the framework of her constitutional mandate, to consistently focus on issues related to the protection of human rights at border checkpoints, contributing to the strengthening of a rights-based approach in line with international standards.