ODIHR and OSCE Office in Yerevan co-organize training on rights of migrants

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) in co-operation with the OSCE Office in Yerevan held a training course on the rights of migrants on 24-26 March 2016 in Tsaghkadzor, Armenia. The overall aim of this training was to support national authorities of OSCE participating States in ensuring that their national migration management practices comply with relevant international legal obligations and OSCE commitments, aiming to respect and protect the human rights of migrants.

The course was attended by 25 representatives from state institutions, including Armenia’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and Development, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Diaspora, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Labour and Social Issues, Chamber of Advocates, as well as civil society actors and lawyers dealing with migration issues.

Democratization Programme Officer at the OSCE Office in Yerevan David Gullette said: “This initiative is important for the national authorities and civil society representatives in their efforts to address the needs of migrants and refugees.”

The training course participants were informed about OSCE commitments in the area of migration at large, and legal and institutional frameworks of protecting rights of migrants in particular.

Within the framework of the training the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Office in Armenia representative briefed workshop participants on the role of her organization, focusing on the international standards in the area of refugee rights.

The training was organized at the request of the State Migration Service of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Development of the Republic of Armenia. This event is part of ODIHR’s ongoing efforts to support OSCE participating States in the implementation of their commitments in the area of migration, an area of increasing focus and relevance in the context of the current migration crisis.