HRC 49th Session: General Debate under Agenda Item 8 Delivered by Ms. Emma Harutyunyan, Third Secretary

25 March, 2022

President,

The VDPA stipulates that the efforts of the UN system towards the universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, contribute to the stability and well-being necessary for peaceful and friendly relations among nations. It is in this spirit that the Government of Armenia adopted a strategy aimed at creating favorable security environment and opening an era of peaceful and sustainable development for our country and the region.

The VDPA expressed deep concern about violations of human rights during armed conflicts. It reaffirmed, in particular, the right of the victims to be assisted by humanitarian organizations, as set forth in the relevant instruments of IHL, and called for the safe and timely access for such assistance.

The inherent dignity, equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family, the whole system of human rights set forth in the international human rights instruments should not be arbitrarily violated under the guise of the sovereignty claims. In no case may a people be deprived of its own means of subsistence. This includes also the critical energy supplies, which should not be abused as a means of collective punishment of the people affected by the conflicts. The underpinning principles should guide the UN system to assume a more proactive role in ensuring full respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law in all and every situation of concern.

The UN system, its bodies and specialized agencies have been bestowed with a universal mandate to enjoy unconditional, unimpeded, unhindered access to the people in need wherever they are and in all circumstances. All attempts to obstruct this mandate should be resolutely rejected.

More should be done to ensure the accountability in the cases of arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, intentional destruction of and damage to cultural and religious heritage and other human rights violations committed.

The prisoners of war and internees must be released without delay after the cessation of active hostilities. Their repatriation is necessary for establishment of lasting peace and stability.

We see a special role of the Human Rights Council in early warning and timely reaction to the violations of human rights of the populations affected by the conflict and prevention of deterioration of a given human rights situation. The UN Human Rights machinery has an important role to play in this regard.

Thank you.

MFA RA
official website

Dual citizenship

Electronic visa

Visa applications