Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor

On November 11, 2024, Sara Ghazaryan, the representative of the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor participated in the parliamentary hearings of the Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs of the National Assembly held on November 11 on “The theme of Issues to be presented in Fourth Cycle of National Report of Republic of Armenia on Rights of Child within Framework of UN Universal Periodic Review Process.”

The competent ministries presented the implemented and planned works directed to the protection of the rights of children. In particular, the deputies of the ministries of Education, Culture and Sport and Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.

Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Tatevik Stepanyan delivered a speech on the topic “State Policy on the Protection of Children’s Rights.” To S. Ghazaryan’s question about the work and deadlines for resuming the activities of the Monitoring Group in care homes (including orphanages) under the Ministry, the Deputy Minister replied that this issue is among their priorities, and the draft law amending the authorizing norm has been signed by the President, and they are currently working on sub-legislative acts.

Let us remind, that on May 30, 2024, the monitoring group was notified by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia about the suspension of the activity of the monitoring group based on the absence of an authorizing norm.

The National Assembly hearings: