OSCE Office supports rock concert, film festival and Human Rights Expo to mark Human Rights Day in Armenia

A rock concert, a Human Rights Film Festival, a public debate and a Human Rights Expo were among the OSCE-supported events held on 9 and 10 December 2011 in Yerevan to mark International Human Rights Day.

The events were organized by the OSCE Office in Yerevan, the United Nations, the Council of Europe’s Armenia Office, the Armenian Foreign Ministry, the Human Rights Defender’s Office and civil society organizations.

The main aim of the Human Rights Day concert was to raise awareness of human rights among young people in Armenia with the help of music. Local rock bands Vordan Karmir, Exodus and Mher Manukyan and Friends performed at the event. 

Carel Hofstra, the Acting Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, said: "Public activists and ordinary citizens make a real difference, so do not be indifferent - exercise your political and other rights, including through active participation in the upcoming elections.”

Young human rights activists and filmmakers Ani Poghosyan and Aren Malakyan won prizes for the best film at the Human Rights Film Festival. At the award ceremony, the winning films were shown, and all shortlisted participants of the festival received certificates. The films are available on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB8B6BF00E8875C50&feature=view_all 

More than 60 young people discussed human rights matters in a public debate led by the Chairperson of the Armenian Helsinki Committee, Avetik Ishkhanyan, held  at the UN House.

More than 1,500 people participated in the Human Rights Expo during which flagship projects and publications on the protection and promotion of human rights in Armenia were presented. A particular focus was on the rights of children, women, national minorities, refugees, the disabled and people in need.