The results of the one month dedicated to the Human Rights Day were summed up at the Defense Ministry of Armenia on Tuesday, the press-service of the Ministry informed Armenian News – NEWS.am.
During the event, Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan underscored the issue of human rights defense in the Armed Forces, stressing that one of the most important functions of the defense agency is the civilian and democratic supervision over the armed forces.
The Minister noted that the cooperation and joint work of the defense agency especially with the Human Rights Defender’s Office yields its results. Sargsyan also highlighted the importance of the Ministry’s Center for Human Rights and Building Integrity, as well as the establishment of an expert council on servicemen’s rights adjunct to the Human Rights Defender’s Office.
“The sphere of human rights defense has two features: the first one is the change of an atmosphere of systematic violation so that no violations recur, the second one being our decisiveness in the work with the civil society and Human Rights
Defender in order to get information on separate cases and be consistent in solving those issues. The first body concerned is the Defense Ministry, which wants a citizen to feel strong and protected in the Armed Forces, since only then he can effectively defend his country,” Sargsyan noted.
Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan, for his part, lauded the role of the expert council, stressing that the sphere is unique and requires work corresponding to professional principles.
At the meeting, head of the Center for Human Rights and Building Integrity, Colonel Alik Avetisyan presented the activities carried out in the human rights sphere in the Armed Forces, as well as the results of cooperation with international organizations and civil society.
