Monday, 6 October 2014
PM Welcomes Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan received Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Nils Muižnieks.
Noting Mr. Muižnieks’s valuable contribution to human rights, the Prime Minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to effective cooperation.
The parties discussed judiciary reform and gender equality in Armenia. Hovik Abrahamyan noted that the government is committed to solving the problems related to the protection of human rights and is taking steps to increase public confidence in the judicial system and promote women’s rights, including in particular a package of judicial reforms. A number of strategic programs and documents have been approved as part of the government’s gender policy.
Active is the Council on Women’s Affairs by the Prime Minister, The government is taking steps to increase women’s involvement in central and local government bodies.
Welcoming the passing by the National Assembly of the bill “On providing equal rights and equal opportunities for women and men,” Mr. Muižnieks stressed the need for continued implementation of reforms in the field of human rights. In this context, he underscored the importance of full implementation of the 2012-2014 Armenia-Council of Europe Action Plan, which is the basis for the Council of Europe’s support for judiciary and penal reforms in Armenia, as well as the effective application of the European Convention on Human Rights and others.