RA Human Rights Defender presents human rights issues in country`s  armed forces to DCAF delegation

ArmInfo. At a meeting with a delegation led by Antje Fritz, Deputy Head of the Europe and Central Asia Division at the Geneva Centre for Security Issues (DCAF), the Armenian Ombudsman, Anahit Manasyan, presented human rights issues in the country's armed forces.

According to the Office of the Human Rights Defender (HRD), the  discussion focused on a number of issues, including ensuring the  rights of female military personnel, measures to prevent abuse,  suicide, and self-harm, and the importance of improving relevant  response mechanisms.

Presenting the work being done in this area, Manasyan noted that both  personally and through representatives of the Ombudsman's office, she  regularly conducts monitoring visits to military units, military  commissariats, and military hospitals of the Armenian Ministry of  Defense. According to her, the number of such visits in 2025 was  significantly higher than the number of previous monitoring visits.

In the context of ensuring the rights of military personnel, the  human rights activist emphasized the importance of the Expert Council  on the Rights of Military Personnel under the Armenian Ombudsman,  which includes representatives of civil society, lawyers, and experts  in the field. Furthermore, Manasyan noted that the Human Rights  Commissioner's Office receives numerous complaints and statements,  including anonymous ones, allowing them to identify both systemic and  individual problems. The Office not only registers them but also  proposes clear solutions. Manasyan emphasized that the issues raised  are included in the Human Rights Commissioner's annual reports,  facilitating their systematic resolution.

During the meeting, the parties also emphasized the importance of  raising awareness in the field of human rights protection,  implementing educational reforms, and developing multilateral  cooperation. At the end of the discussions, the interlocutors  emphasized the importance of existing cooperation in terms of  addressing issues from different angles and developing more effective  solutions, as well as strengthening the human rights protection  system through joint efforts.