Roundtable on implementing the Concluding Observations of the UN Human Rights Committee
On 30 April 2013, The EU Advisory Group, in collaboration with the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, organised a roundtable discussion on the Concluding Observations of the UN Human Rights Committee. The discussion was opened by Mr Onno Simons, Head of the Political, Economic, Press and Information Section of the EU Delegation to Armenia and Mr Karen Andreasyan, Human Rights Defender of Armenia. Representatives of state institutions, civil society and international organizations were invited to propose specific suggestions for implementing the UN Human Rights Committee’s recommendations.
In July 2012, the UN Human Rights Committee adopted the Concluding Observations regarding the second periodic report of Armenia on the implementation of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Committee urged Armenia to create the conditions necessary to ensure that the Human Rights Defender fully and independently would perform its mandate. The Committee also expressed concern about the lack of comprehensive legislation on discrimination; specific legislation on the equality of men and women; and legislation criminalizing all forms of domestic violence. It also expressed concern about the rising practice of sex-selective abortions.
During the meeting, the UN Human Rights Committee Specialist presented best practices in the follow-up and implementation of the Concluding Observations. Meanwhile, Ms Dalia Zukauskiene, EUAG Advisor on Human Rights, gave an overview on the follow-up of the implementation of the Concluding Observations at a national level. The Deputy Minister of Justice, Mr Yeghishe Kirakosyan, shared reflections on the Human Rights Committee’s Recommendations in the National Human Rights Action Plan. The Roundtable participants also discussed the short and long-term challenges of the Concluding Observations. They also presented recommendations and suggestions on their future implementation.
