HRC 48: Interactive dialogue on the Secretary-General's report on cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights Delivered by Mrs. Zoya Stepanyan, First Secretary

29 September, 2021

September 29, 2021

HRC 48: Interactive dialogue on the Secretary-General's report on cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights

Delivered by Mrs. Zoya Stepanyan, First Secretary

President,

Armenia thanks the Assistant Secretary General for her engagement with the Council.

Being a home to diverse and vocal civil society, we are proud to note that NGOs, civic movements and human rights defenders continue to operate freely and engage internationally, even in the most challenging times for our country.

We believe that states can benefit from better outreach of UN human rights mechanisms to their respective societies. We are also convinced in universality of human rights and their equal, non-discriminative and non-selective application.

The National Human Rights Institutions, civil society and activists operating in the areas of armed conflict play a crucial role in reporting gross human rights violations and their plea for accountability should not be neglected.

President,

With the reference to the work of NGO Committee we would like to highlight that for years we are observing a deplorable situation when NGOs which are registered in Armenia or have Armenian affiliation, especially those active in the area of human rights, humanitarian work and people to people contacts are targeted by a member state, who does not shy away from abusing its membership in Committee. We call for greater transparency and reiterate the need to adhere strongly to the values and principles of the United Nations especially when it comes to engagement with the civil society organisations.

I thank you.

MFA RA
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