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Human Rights Council – Universal Periodic Review

For use of information media; not an official record

Date:Thursday 06 May (afternoon)

Country under review: ARMENIA

  1. Documents: national report (A/HRC/WG.6/8/ARM/1), compilation of UN information (A/HRC/WG.6/8/ARM/2), summary of stakeholders’ information (A/HRC/WG.6/8/ARM/3)
  2. Troika: Slovakia, France, Bahrain

Concerned country - national report

  1. Represented by a 11-member delegation and headed by H.E. Mr. Arman Kirakossian, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
  2. National report presented by the head of delegation

Highlights

  1. No death sentences executed since independence.
  2. Provisions condemning violence against women included in the Criminal Code.
  3. National plan for the improvement of the situation of women and enhancement of their role in the society. Quota on electoral lists.
  4. National Plan and legislative measures to ensure protection of children.
  5. Freedom of thought, conscience and religion enshrined in the Constitution.
  6. Legislative framework to ensure rights of national minorities.
  7. Extensive healthcare reforms, with a special emphasis on women and children.
  8. Basic and secondary education compulsory and free. Literacy rate of 99.5%.
  9. Policy of full integration of refugees and Assistance program for the return of internally displaced persons.
  10. Extensive legislative and institutional efforts to eliminate torture and ratification of all related international treaties.

Interactive discussion

Number of States taking part in the discussion

  1. Member States: 22
  2. Observer States: 25

Positive achievements

  1. Police reform underway.
  2. Measures taken to increase women’s participation in politics and gender equality.
  3. Broaden access to education and healthcare. Increase in literacy rate.
  4. Decrease in maternal and infant mortality rate.
  5. Measures to combat poverty.
  6. End of moratorium on TV and radio licenses and decriminalization of libel.
  7. Party to most human rights international treaties.
  8. Standing invitation to UN Special Procedures since 2006.

Issues and questions raised

  1. Investigation and prosecution of 2008 presidential elections violence.
  2. Torture and ill-treatment by police forces.
  3. Discrimination and violence against women.
  4. Human trafficking in the rise.
  5. Sexual exploitation of children. 
  6. Independence of the judiciary.
  7. Right of peaceful assembly.
  8. Harassment and attacks against journalists, opposition and civil society activists.

Recommendations

  1. Investigate and prosecute all cases of post election violence.
  2. Set up training programmes for police officers.
  3. Make domestic violence a criminal offense. Elaborate specific legislation on discrimination against women.
  4. Pursue efforts to increase women’s representation in decision-making positions.
  5. Ensure impartiality and transparency of the judiciary.
  6. Takes measures to ensure free and fair elections.
  7. Devote additional resources to assist victims of trafficking and combat it.
  8. Ensure full respect of the right of freedom of opinion and expression.
  9. Bolster the independence of the National media commission and take steps to ensure protection of journalists.
  10. Continue efforts to improve conditions of detention.
  11. Ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance andthe Rome Statute.

Response of the concerned country

  1. Human trafficking – Measures taken, including training of law enforcement officials. Memorandum of understanding concluded with the United Arab Emirates, a country of destination, to address this issue.
  2. Sexual exploitation of children - No reported case of trafficking outside of Armenia. Only cases of children begging on the streets. Measures underway.
  3. Excessive use of force by police forces and post electoral violence – Cases investigated and duly prosecuted. Police reform underway. No more incommunicado detention. Arrests not on political ground.
  4. Independence of the judiciary – Guaranteed in laws and Constitution. On-going training, even though level of professional capacity satisfactory.
  5. Violence and discrimination against women – Equality enshrined in Constitution. Gender-based discrimination prohibited by law.

Adoption of the report by the UPR working group scheduled on
Monday 10 May, 17:30-18:00

More information

  1. UPR: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/UPRmain.aspx
  2. Country under review (documents submitted): http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/PAGES/AMSession8.aspx