National Strategy for Human Rights Protection and the Action Plan deriving therefrom submitted for public discussion

The Ministry of Justice submitted for public discussion the draft decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia "On approving the National Strategy for Protection of Human Rights and the Action Plan for 2020-2022 deriving therefrom" on the Unified platform for publishing draft legal acts.

Priorities set by the Government Programme of the Republic of Armenia approved by the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia on 14 February 2019, underlie the new National Strategy for Human Rights Protection and the Action Plan deriving therefrom, and according to these priorities, the human rights protection, continuous raise of the level of well being by ensuring favourable conditions for human beings to create freely, live decently and happily are of key significance in five-year activities of the Government.

The goals of the National Strategy for Human Rights Protection and the Action Plan for 2020-2022 deriving therefrom are:

1.     Effective protection of and guarantees for human rights.

2.     Implementation of consistent state policy aimed at protection of and guarantees for the fundamental human and civil rights and freedoms.

3.     Improving the mechanisms for protection of civil and political, economic, social and culture rights guaranteed by international treaties of the Republic of Armenia, in accordance with international commitments undertaken by the Republic of Armenia, taking into consideration suggestions and recommendations of the bodies operating on the basis of international treaties related to the human rights.

4.     Raising public awareness on human rights and measures of protection, i.e. encouraging protection of their own rights by the state and local self-government bodies, officials, as well as the public and the citizens, dissemination of knowledge on human rights and means of protection thereof.

5.     Identify the directions of a unified human rights policy creating basis for the activities to be implemented during the upcoming years.

With the view to achieving the above-mentioned goals, acknowledging the importance of protecting and ensuring all the rights guaranteed by the Constitution and international treaties of the Republic of Armenia and pursuing this issue, the following strategic priorities are identified and highlighted for the current situation:

1.     Protection of civil and political rights;

2.     Protection of social and economic rights;

3.     Ensuring equal rights and equal opportunities.

Coordinating Council will be established to co-ordinate and monitor the implementation of action plans. The Strategy defines the regulations related to the formation and the activity of the Coordinating Council, according to which the Coordinating Council shall be composed of representatives of public authorities and civil society. The draft also stipulates the criteria for selection and participation of the civil society representatives.

At the same time we would like to inform that, alongside with on-line discussions, sector-specific discussions on the drafts with participation of the stakeholders and interested parties will be organised in Yerevan and in several marzes in upcoming weeks.