The High Representative issued a statement on behalf of the European Union on the Human Rights Day[1]. By respecting, protecting and fulfilling human rights, we are able to foster peace, sustainable development, accountability and justice and inclusive societies. This remains at the heart of the work of the EU Delegation to Armenia and of the European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA).  The commitment to human rights shared by the EU and Armenia is at the core of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and will be mainstreamed throughout the new EU-Armenia Partnership Agenda.

Throughout the year, the European Union continued to actively support reforms in the justice, police and education sectors. We support efforts to promote equality through collaborative projects with civil society, focusing on gender equality and the equal enjoyment of human rights by all women and girls, rights of persons with disabilities, labour rights, rights of the child, the rights of LGBTIQ+-persons, combating violence and domestic violence, and advocating for independent media. The EU also provided humanitarian support and supports the Armenian government in the socio-economic integration of the displaced persons.

Furthermore, EUMA supports stability and confidence-building in the region. Through monitoring and direct engagement, EUMA strives to ensure that human rights issues in the conflict-affected regions are identified and reported. EUMA is actively advancing both the Women, Peace, and Security and Youth, Peace, and Security Agendas, with a particular focus on addressing the human security needs of persons in vulnerable situations. This commitment is central to the EUMA’s mandate, as human rights, peace and stability are closely intertwined. 

Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, Head of the European Union Delegation to Armenia

Markus Ritter, Head of the European Union Mission in Armenia

[1] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/china/human-rights-day-statement-high-representative-kaja-kallas-behalf-european-union_en