HRC 56th Session: Item 3 – Interactive dialogue with Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression - Embassy of Armenia to Switzerland and Permanent Mission of Armenia to the UN office at Geneva

HRC 56th Session: Item 3 – Interactive dialogue with Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression

26 June, 2024

Delivered by Hambardzum Minasyan, First Secretary

President,

Armenia welcomes the SR and thanks for the Report.

The freedom of expression is a fundemantal right and the lifeblood of democracy. For several years in a row Armenia improves its position in the World Press Freedom Index. This year we are ranked on 43^rd position, which marks a notable improvement of six notches. For a number of years we are also ranked among the states with free internet according to the Freedom House reports.

We welcome the focus of the report of the SR on the jounalists in exile and fully concur with the notion that no one should be forcefully displaced or sent into exile or be compelled to flee their home country, and all persons have the right to leave and return to their countries of origin freely and to fully enjoy all human rights guaranteed under international law.

Authoritarianism and attacks on independent media on the rise in many countries, including in our region, have resulted in the increased number of the jounalists in exile in recent years. Efforts should be made to ensure their safety and security through combating transnational repression.

Thank you.

MFA RA
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