Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a consultation to discuss Armenia’s National Strategy for the Protection of Human Rights and the 2020-2022 action plan.

Minister of Justice Rustam Badasyan noted that the development and adoption of the program is in line with the Government’s Action Plan for 2019-2023 and a number of international commitments assumed by the Republic of Armenia, including the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

According to the Minister, the strategy went through inclusive discussions nationwide: more than a dozen events were organized, involving civil society. Most of the proposals received from interested agencies have been accepted; active joint work has been done with the Ombudsman’s Office. R. Badasyan noted that the strategy provides an assessment of the current state of human rights. It takes note of the previous action plan’s results and outlines the key principles and priorities for the next 3 years.

It is envisaged to set up a monitoring group with the participation of state bodies and civil society representatives to oversee the proper implementation of the action plan, as well as to set up an electronic platform for the national strategy.

A number of proposals and recommendations were voiced during the exchange of views that followed. The Prime Minister instructed to finalize the draft, summarize the recommendations voiced during the consultation and submit it to the Government for approval within a short period of time.