Ombudsman`s office held discussions around the reorganization of  boarding houses

ArmInfo. Discussions on the process of reorganization of institutions for the care and protection of children took place in the RA Human Rights Defender's Office.

Deputies of the National Assembly Ani Samsonyan, Arman Abovyan,  Eriknaz Tigranyan, Sofya Hovsepyan, Sarkis Handanyan, as well as  Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Zhanna Andreasyan  participated in the discussions. The discussion was also attended by  the deputy governor of the Tavush region, a representative of the  regional administration of Kotayk, as well as experts from the  parliament.  In his opening remarks, human rights defender Arman  Tatoyan emphasized the importance of such a discussion around the  proposal of the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Zaruhi Batoyan,  noting that the reorganization of institutions operating on the right  principles is based on the best interests of the child.  , - said the  defender.

Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of  Armenia Zhanna Andreasyan presented the process of liquidation of 4  boarding schools, describing the steps taken by the ministry in  connection with the return of children from institutions to their  families. In particular, Andreasyan presented the details of the  process of assessing the needs of children and their families, the  package of assistance provided to families, organizations and  services that facilitate families. Representatives of the Ministry of  Labor and Social Affairs were asked questions of interest to citizens  related to the situation of children and their families, education of  children and protection of other rights after the reorganization of  institutions. All participants in the meeting emphasized the  importance of guaranteeing the child's right to live in the family  and helping families.

Deputies and the Defender emphasized the need to implement programs  to inform the public about the situation in large volumes, so that  society would get a full picture of the ongoing process in the  country.  "The process of reorganizing the institutions providing  care and protection of children will continue to be in the focus of  the Ombudsman, given that on the issue of the rights of children and  persons with disabilities, the defender has the status of an  independent monitoring body established by the relevant UN  conventions," the Ombudsman's office said in a statement.