OSCE, EU SUPPORT OPENING OF ARMENIAN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER'S OFFICES IN ARMENIA'S REGIONS
States News Service
June 6, 2012 Wednesday
The following information was released by the Organization for Security
and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE):
Today the Armenian Human Rights Defender officially opened its
regional office in the Lori province, one of six regional offices in
Armenia. Human Rights Defender Karen Andreasyan, Ambassador Andrey
Sorokin, the Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, and Ambassador
Traian Hristea, the Head of the European Delegation to Armenia,
attended the opening ceremony.
"Establishing regional offices makes it easier for people in other
parts of the country to get help and advice if they feel their rights
have been violated," said Sorokin, adding that this was particularly
important during the election period.
"Along with safeguarding human rights during the election periods,
the six regional offices are expected to become the human rights
"front desks' for the Ombudsman's national office," said Hristea.
Andreasyan welcomed the participants, saying: "I am positive about
the establishment of regional presence. I am glad that with the
financial support of the European Union and the assistance of the
OSCE Office in Yerevan now we have six regional centres of the Human
Rights Defender's Office in Armenia. At the same time, I sincerely
hope that in the nearest future the regional offices will be also
financially supported by the Armenian Government".
Representatives of local civil society and media also participated
in the event.
Similar offices have been opened and became operational some two
months ago in five other regional centres - Gavar, Ijevan, Gyumri,
Yeghegnadzor and Kapan. Each of them has two lawyers and one manager.
The establishment of the regional offices is part of a 1.7 million euro
project on strengthening electoral processes in Armenia in line with
international standards, implemented by the OSCE Office in Yerevan
and financed by the European Union.
From: A. Papazian
States News Service
June 6, 2012 Wednesday
The following information was released by the Organization for Security
and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE):
Today the Armenian Human Rights Defender officially opened its
regional office in the Lori province, one of six regional offices in
Armenia. Human Rights Defender Karen Andreasyan, Ambassador Andrey
Sorokin, the Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, and Ambassador
Traian Hristea, the Head of the European Delegation to Armenia,
attended the opening ceremony.
"Establishing regional offices makes it easier for people in other
parts of the country to get help and advice if they feel their rights
have been violated," said Sorokin, adding that this was particularly
important during the election period.
"Along with safeguarding human rights during the election periods,
the six regional offices are expected to become the human rights
"front desks' for the Ombudsman's national office," said Hristea.
Andreasyan welcomed the participants, saying: "I am positive about
the establishment of regional presence. I am glad that with the
financial support of the European Union and the assistance of the
OSCE Office in Yerevan now we have six regional centres of the Human
Rights Defender's Office in Armenia. At the same time, I sincerely
hope that in the nearest future the regional offices will be also
financially supported by the Armenian Government".
Representatives of local civil society and media also participated
in the event.
Similar offices have been opened and became operational some two
months ago in five other regional centres - Gavar, Ijevan, Gyumri,
Yeghegnadzor and Kapan. Each of them has two lawyers and one manager.
The establishment of the regional offices is part of a 1.7 million euro
project on strengthening electoral processes in Armenia in line with
international standards, implemented by the OSCE Office in Yerevan
and financed by the European Union.
From: A. Papazian