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“Armenia’s peaceful transfer of power in May 2018 has been truly remarkable. However, popular expectations are high that there will be tangible improvements to people’s lives, and the government should devote its attention to upholding the long-neglected rights of those who are most vulnerable,” said Dunja Mijatović, the Council of Europe (CoE) Commissioner for Human Rights, concluding her visit to Armenia from 15 to 20 September.  

She devoted attention to the rights of women and their political participation: “Women’s participation in Armenia’s public life should be more effectively promoted – especially, at the highest levels of decision-making and at the local level, where it is particularly low.”

Temporary special measures, such as mandatory quotas, can be helpful in levelling the playing field for women and men, and the commissioner recommends that concrete and ambitious targets for women’s participation be pursued, including for local elections. “The authorities should also do more to encourage women and girls to become actively engaged in political life, to promote role models and champions – both male and female - of women’s equality, and to foster a gender-equal education environment free from discriminatory stereotypes,”Mijatović said.

Regarding the legacy of the violent events of March 2008, the commissioner welcomes the steps taken by Armenia to finally establish responsibility for the ten deaths that occurred at that time and close this painful chapter of the country’s recent history. However, she stresses that “this should be done carefully and in strict adherence to the principles of rule of law, judicial independence, transparency and  guarantees of fair trial, in order to dispel any accusations of alleged revenge politics or selective justice.”

“As Armenia traverses this period of important transition, I encourage all politicians and opinion leaders to contribute to building a cohesive society and exercise special care to avoid using polarising, stigmatising or inflammatory language in their public discourse,” the commissioner said.

Mijatović also paid special attention to the issues of children’s care homes, nursing homes, as well as persons with disabilities. She welcomed Armenia’s adoption of the law on prevention of domestic violence, protection of victims of violence within the family and restoration of peace in the family in December 2017. The commissioner next called on the government to adopt a comprehensive anti-discrimination law and take a firm stance against hate speech and hate crime against LGBT persons and ensure that all such incidents are duly condemned, investigated and prosecuted.

The CoE commissioner’s report on her visit is forthcoming.