Armenia`s Human Rights Defender visits Agarak checkpoint on Iranian  border

ArmInfo.As part of a working visit to Armenia's Syunik region, Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan visited the Agarak checkpoint on the Armenian-Iranian border on July 22. During her visit, she inspected the facility,  reviewed border control procedures, and assessed how human rights are  safeguarded within those processes.

According to the press service of the Human Rights Defender's Office,  the discussions on-site focused on various issues related to human  rights protection during border crossings, including ensuring the  rights of persons in need of international protection and asylum  seekers.

Manasyan emphasized the importance of upholding international human  rights standards at border checkpoints, stressing that every  individual must be able to fully exercise their fundamental rights  regardless of citizenship, legal status, or other circumstances.

The visit also covered topics concerning the effective protection of  citizens' rights, the continuous improvement of border procedures,  and inter-agency cooperation among competent state bodies.

The Ombudsperson noted that border guards play a critical role in  upholding human rights. In this context, special emphasis was placed  on the continuous development of their professional  skills—particularly in effectively identifying individuals in need of  international protection and asylum seekers, ensuring proper  treatment, and fully safeguarding their rights. Manasyan highlighted  the importance of effective cooperation with National Security  Service border guards, which enables the prompt resolution of various  challenges through joint efforts.

"The Human Rights Defender will continue to consistently focus on  human rights protection at border checkpoints within the framework of  her constitutional mandate, contributing to the strengthening of  human rights practices in accordance with international standards,"  the Ombudsman's office stated.