Draft Action Plan of the 2017-2019 HRP Strategy considered with non-governmental organisations

On 3 February, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia considered with the representatives of state bodies and non-governmental organisations of the Republic of Armenia the draft Action Plan of the 2017-2019 National Strategy on Human Rights Protection.

Deputy Minister of Justice of the Republic of Armenia Vigen Kocharyan expressed gratitude to the UN House in Yerevan and the UN Development Programme for supporting the discussion and added that the Ministry of Justice attached importance to the direct and active participation of state bodies and non-governmental organisations in the activities for the development of the Action Plan. The Deputy Minister of Justice reminded that the Ministry had received from the relevant bodies recommendations on the Action Plan that will be considered for incorporating them in the Action Plan. Vigen Kocharyan emphasised that the draft was still in the stage of development and that the Ministry of Justice expected new recommendations on including additional actions in the Action Plan.

Within the framework of the draft Action Plan of the 2017-2019 National Strategy on Human Rights Protection, a number of issues related to the fight against discrimination and the protection of women's rights, the right of the child, the rights of persons with disabilities, the right to health maintenance and to life, the right to education, the protection of the rights of conscripts, the right to a fair trial, the right to free and fair elections, the right to freedom of expression, the right to media and freedom of assembly, the protection of economic rights were considered.

Representatives and officials of more than two dozens of non-governmental organisations, the Office of the Human Rights Defender and state bodies participated in the discussion and had the opportunity to consider the submitted recommendations, as well as to make new recommendations in an open and friendly atmosphere.