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On November 26, the NA President Ararat Mirzoyan delivered an opening speech at the International Conference held on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the activity of the Human Rights Defender's Staff in the National Assembly Session Hall.
“Distinguished Mr. Prime Minister,
Dear Human Rights Defender,
Dear Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to welcome you to the event dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the Office of the Human Rights Defender in the National Assembly.
The RA Law on the Human Rights Defender was passed in Armenia in October 2003, but the Human Rights Defender had actually started functioning since 2004.
Later, the Constitutional Amendments has stipulated the exclusive right of every citizen to apply to the Defender, establishing that the Human Rights Defender's Law is a Constitutional Law. Originally, being set up as an institution independent of any body and influence, the Ombudsman Institute has managed to pass a long way over the years and has come to be the one. Nevertheless, unfortunately, like many other institutions and mechanisms in Armenia during the period of more than the past two decades, the Human Rights Defender's Institute, and his office have often faced major political obstacles on the way of its establishment that have not allowed them to fully implement the authorities designed by the Constitution and law. And this has taken place in the absence of the political will of functioning democratic society.
Since 2018, when the citizens of the Republic of Armenia have stood up to defend their rights and freedoms, the best conditions for the work of the Ombudsman Institute have been created in the Republic of Armenia. And this, not at all because it is accepted in the advanced countries, and we would like to put a positive mark on that line of ours, but certainly because human rights, their protection, human freedoms, all other democratic values and principles are the cornerstones of our system of values.
And this institute can play the most important role in protecting and restoring the rights that have been violated for many years. As the Ombudsman is truly considered as a parliamentary human rights defender, as the head of the Armenian legislative body, I would like to reaffirm today that there are no and cannot be political obstacles to the best fulfillment of our functions before this institute, and we are and will be the guarantor of this institute's activities.
I should be happy to state that it is precisely after the Velvet revolution that our citizens' confidence in the Ombudsman and his office has greatly increased, and the substantial increase in the number of applications testifies to it.
Following the parliamentary elections in December last year, which were assessed by the most meticulous Observation Missions to be truly free, competitive and democratic in line with international standards, the new National Assembly closely works with the Office of the Human Rights Defender. In particular, I would like to emphasize the recommendations in the form of draft legislative acts that we regularly receive from the Human Rights Defender, as well as the fact that, before their adoption, the draft laws undergo appropriate expertise in the Ombudsman's staff. For example, for the first time this year, the parliament adopted a big package of penal legislation reform which, in essence, was directly developed in the Office of the Human Rights Defender and was based on the results of his activities. This legislative package was subsequently debated in detail in the Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs of the National Assembly and adopted by unanimous votes. On the basis of this package, positive changes have already been seen in practice, the bases for the risk assessment mechanism of the person deprived of freedom, the importance of an individual approach to him, the grounds for strengthening medical care in a penitentiary institution and so on.
As a parliament with serious oversight functions, we often hear in this hall and in the other halls of the National Assembly about different legislative initiatives or major issues of concern to the public. And the Human Rights Defender, as a rule, participates in those hearings. As an example, I can mention Mr. Tatoyan's report at the recent hearings on my own initiative dedicated to mass deprivation of the rights of many citizens for the state and society needs.
As President of Parliament, I attach great importance to the organization of awareness raising campaigns by the Armenian Human Rights Defender on different issues of public interest. It significantly helps ensure that laws are more fully implemented. I find it especially important for those who advocate for women's rights, inclusive education, and children’s rights, etc. I am convinced that the people should have full information about their rights and opportunities for their protection. Unfortunately, our society really needs them. It is proper awareness that enables us to break stereotypes and exclude misconceptions.
I am confident that the cooperation of our institutes will still bring new fruits.
Dear employees of the Office of the Ombudsman, Dear Colleagues dedicated to the protection of human rights, let me congratulate you on the occasion of your 15th anniversary and cooperate together in making our dreams of creating equal and protected rights in Armenia. The best result of our work will be the empty mailbox of your office to mark the achievement of democracy in the Republic of Armenia, the establishment of the rule of law and the protection of human rights.”
