OSCE helps strengthen human rights protection in Armenia’s armed forces

JERMUK, VAYOTS DZOR REGION, Armenia, 9 July 2015 – Twenty-five of Armenia’s military police officers took part in a three-day training course on human rights organized by the NGONGO
non-governmental organization Protection of Rights without Borders, with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan and in co-operation with Armenia’s Ministry of Defence.

Local experts in human rights delivered the training sessions with the aim of enhancing human rights protection in the armed forces, which is an integral part of  OSCE comprehensive security concept.

The training methodology is based on the Handbook on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Armed Forces Personnel, which was developed by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of the Armed Forces (DCAF). The methodology was also based on a teaching manual developed by the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

The training covered the laws on military service and code of conduct, military justice and applicable legal procedures, civil and political rights and human rights protection mechanisms.

“Human rights education is among the commitments of OSCE participating States and these training courses will both strengthen the knowledge of human rights among the armed forces and their skills in protecting the rights of others,” said Radka Rubilina, Human Rights Officer at the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

“Our joint efforts will greatly contribute to enhanced human rights protection in the armed forces and effective security sector reform,” said Lieutenant Colonel Aleksandr Avetisyan from the defence policy department of the Ministry of Defence.

The training course was the last in a series of courses on this topic organized with the support of the Office this year. The initiative builds on the results of a recent two year-long tailored training programme for target groups within the armed forces personnel, which were implemented in co-operation with the Ministry of Defence. Under this programme more than 300 servicepersons strengthened their capacity in the area of human rights.