Human Rights Day marked in Armenia with OSCE Office support

YEREVAN, 10 December 2008 - The OSCE Office in Yerevan, in partnership with the Human Rights Defender's Office, the United Nations in Armenia, the Council of Europe and the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia, marked Human Rights Day with a roundtable discussion in Yerevan today. 

The roundtable discussion on "Human Rights in Armenia: Achievements and Challenges" brought together more than 70 representatives from governmental and non-governmental bodies to discuss the latest developments in the protection of human rights in the country, the available mechanisms to safeguard the fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the state's efforts to adhere to international human rights principles as outlined in key international instruments.

"The Declaration comprises the fundamental freedoms and human rights to which all people are entitled. States should direct their activities towards overall progress and providing an atmosphere where all constitutional rights can be exercised," said Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan.

Carel Hofstra, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, added: "The OSCE Office, since its establishment almost 10 years ago, has consistently assisted the government and civil society in monitoring and improving the human rights situation. There have been improvements but more remains to be done and the OSCE Office, in co-operation with its partners, will continue to support both the government and civil society in the coming years."

The Human Rights Defender presented the results of the office's initial research on the implementation by Armenian courts of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment at the event. It also presented its findings as an Independent National Preventive Mechanism, designated by law in accordance with the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture.