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In the framework of his working visit in Strasbourg, Human Rights Defender of Armenia Arman Tatoyan held a meeting with Secretary General of the Council of Europe (CoE) Thorbjørn Jagland.

As the Armenian Ombudsman’s Office told Panorama.am, the activities of the Ombudsman’s staff during the Armenian parliamentary elections were presented and discussed during the meeting. In particular, the principles and priorities of the working group created for that purpose were presented. The meeting also addressed issues regarding the registered complaints, the studied reports and the measures taken for settling the raised issues.

The Council of Europe’s Secretary General was also reported on the new regulations of the law on “Human Rights Deferder” that are related to the work with the civil society and the state agencies. The interlocutors also discussed the cooperation directions regarding the spheres of preventing ill-treatment and torture, protection of economic rights, as well as the rights of servicemen and children.

The results of the fact-finding activities confirming the Azerbaijani shelling of Chinari village of Armenia’s Tavush Province were also presented. During the meeting, Arman Tatoyan also voiced his concerns over the issue of Azerbaijan’s anti-Armenian policy, as well as the threats it can pose for the European structures and for the Council of Europe in particular. By launching prosecutions against the international experts, including the MEPs and reporters, Azerbaijan cannot achieve any results, and the international human rights organizations should be actively engaged in Artsakh.

Thorbjørn Jagland underscored the Ombudsman’s stance and activities regarding the introduction of European standards in the mentioned spheres in Armenia.

The sides agreed to continue the cooperation and to take measures to implement the agreements reached during the meeting.