Human rights monitoring and reporting training in Armenia reaches its second year

YEREVAN, 8 April 2002 - A first training session for human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and governmental institutions has been launched in Armenia. This is the second year that this ODIHR project on human rights monitoring and reporting training for NGOs has been implemented in Armenia with the assistance of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. Experts from the Polish Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights prepare and conduct the program.

The first training session, which takes place on 7-11 April, with the participation of 22 representatives of human rights NGOs and state bodies focuses on history, philosophy and theory of human rights, international and European systems of human rights protection, as well as domestic remedies. The session will also address specific human rights and freedoms and examine the relevant case law of the European Court of Human Rights. The lectures will be accompanied by simulation games and practical exercises.

The second and the third training sessions will be organized in June and September 2002 and will focus more specifically on the techniques and methods of human rights monitoring and reporting.

In 2001, four groups of NGOs conducted monitoring projects and produced reports on various areas of human rights, which can be obtained from the OSCE Office in Yerevan. These reports covered:

• Implementation of the right to communication with the outside world in pre-trial isolators of Armenia;
• Rights and possibilities of students to receive quality education in pedagogical higher education institutions of Armenia;
• Implementation of rights of refugees in relation to military conscription and army service in Armenia;
• Working conditions in first instance courts in Shirak, Gegharkunik and Syunik Marzes (Regions).

The aim of the monitoring projects is to improve the situation both in terms of legislation and practice, as well as, to increase civil society participation in decision-making. Their conclusions and recommendations will contribute to the on-going reform process in Armenia.

The OSCE Office in Yerevan was established in February 2000 to promote the implementation of OSCE principles and commitments as well as the cooperation of the Republic of Armenia within the OSCE framework, in all OSCE dimensions, including the human, political, political and environmental aspects of security and stability.