Armenian Assembly interns meet with the RoA’s Human Rights Defender

Yerevan, Armenia – On Wednesday, July 20 Class of AAA Yerevan interns had the opportunity to meet with the recently elected RoA’s Human Rights Defender Karen Andreasyan.

The Human Rights Defender is an independent and unaltered official, who, guided by the fundamental principles of lawfulness, social co-existence and social justice, protects the human rights and fundamental freedoms violated by the state and local self-governing bodies or their officials.

The aim of the meeting was to present the concept of human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as the role and functions of RoA Human Rights Defender. During the brief lecture Karen Andreasyan presented citizen - state relations, basic human rights and fundamental freedoms.

During the lecture interns learned about the missions and goals of Human Rights Defender’s Office.

The Human Rights Defender spoke about the complaints being received from citizens, the problems that face the Office, the work being done for improvement of legislation related to human rights and fundamental freedoms, the luck of public awareness and many other issues.

During the meeting interns asked a lot of questions about the protection and the restoration of human rights and fundamental freedoms, national and international mechanisms for protecting human rights, protecting the rights of children, rising citizens’ awareness, etc. The Defender answering the students’ questions, in detail presented law - right relations, the importance of domination of basic rights and fundamental freedoms in formation of constitutional state. On the question how the Defender acts in case of the violation of rights Mr. Andreasyan presented the RA Human Rights Defender's powers as well as the legal mechanisms of restoration of violated rights.

“I was surprised to find out there was a Human Rights Defender in Armenia . This shows that our country is moving forward. I am excited to see the changes that Mr. Andreasyan is planning to make”, said AAA intern Tatevik Babayan.

" Meeting with the defender of human rights was a great way to gain insight into the way other countries aim to ensure the rights that most Americans take for granted. I enjoyed hearing about the issues that Armenia faces as well as how the system should change to eliminate them.", said intern Julia Madden

At the end, AAA Summer Internship Program Coordinator thanked Karen Andreasyan for the meeting on behalf of Armenian Assembly of America and all interns.



Photo Caption 1: (DSC_0020)

(l-r) AAA Interns: Tatevik Babayan, Julia Madden, RoA Human Rights Defender Karen Andreasyan, AAA Interns: Ishkhanuhi Matevosyan, Anzhela Babayan

Photo Caption 2: (DSC_0018)

(l-r) AAA Interns: Anzhela Babayan, Ishkhanuhi Matevosyan, Tatevik Babayan, RoA Human Rights Defender Karen Andreasyan, Advisor on International Relations to the Human Rights Defender Siranush Harutyunyan, AAA Assistant to Director Ani Boghosyan, AAA Intern Julia Madden