OSCE Office organizes training course for Armenian advocates and public defenders

YEREVAN, 19 September 2006 - Some 60 advocates and public defenders took part in a training course on advocacy skills and human rights that ended in Yerevan today.

Organized by the OSCE Office in Yerevan, the Armenian Chamber of Advocates and the Council of Europe, the two-day event focused on the concept and the application of articles 5 (the right to liberty and security) and 6 (the right to a fair trial) of the European Convention of Human Rights.

"Effective protection of human rights in court depends on the professional preparedness of the defence lawyers," said Silvia Pogolsa, Human Rights Officer at the OSCE Office.

"This is particularly important due to the recently held qualification examination, designed to enlarge the number of licensed advocates in Armenia. We hope this training course will equip advocates and public defenders with the necessary knowledge to be able to effectively apply provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights in their daily work."

Armenia joined the Council of Europe in 2001. This gave Armenian citizens the right to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.