Armenia’s participation to the 58th session of UN Human Rights Council

08 April, 2025

The 58^th session of the UN Human Rights Council took place from 24 February to 4 April 2025 in Geneva.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia H.E. Mr. Ararat Mirzoyan participated in the High-Level Segment of the session and delivered a national statement. During his visit, the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held official meetings with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Volker Türk, and the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Ms. Mirjana Spoljaric Egger.

In his global report presented during the HRC 58^th session, the High Commissioner for Human Rights highlighted that he was closely following the ongoing peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, expressing hope that the process would contribute to truth-telling, healing, and reconciliation. He affirmed his readiness to support these efforts. The High Commissioner also stressed that “all those arbitrarily detained in Azerbaijan, including ethnic Armenians, must be released immediately, and fair trial rights must be respected fully.”

Following the High-Level Segment, the Council held thematic discussions on a range of human rights issues, including the rights of the child, adequate housing, transitional justice, the right to food, situation of human rights defenders, countering terrorism, freedom of religion, protection of the rights of minorities, as well as protection of cultural heritage etc. A number of interactive dialogues were held on the country-specific human rights situations.

Pursuant to Resolution 55/13 of the Human Rights Council on the Prevention of Genocide, a panel discussion on “Early Warning and Genocide Prevention” was convened during the session.

Under the agenda item 8, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Armenia delivered a Joint statement on “Digital technologies and the rights of women and girls”. The statement was presented on behalf of 70 UN Member States, including Estonia, France, Japan, Chile, Costa Rica and Kenya, which together with Armenia form a part of the cross-regional core group.

Throughout the course of the session, the Permanent Mission of Armenia delivered 46 statements and aligned with 18 Joint Statements.

During the General debates and Interactive dialogues of the HRC, Armenia drew attention to Azerbaijan’s ongoing aggressive and bellicose policies following the ethnic cleansing and forced displacement of the Armenian population from Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia also raised concerns about the destruction of the Armenian historical, cultural and religious heritage, the continued detention of Armenian prisoners of war, hostages and other detainees held in Azerbaijan and the conduct of staged trials marred by serious procedural violations, torture and coercion. Armenia reaffirmed its strong commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace, security and stability in the region.

The statements of the Permanent Mission of Armenia also reflected on Armenia’s best practices and achievements in strengthening democracy in Armenia.

Armenia co-sponsored resolutions adopted during the session, including on the freedom of religion and belief, cultural rights, protection of the cultural heritage, right to food, human rights defenders, neurotechnology and human rights, countering terrorism, women and diplomacy, rights of older persons and human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

A side event organized by Christian Solidarity International on human rights in Azerbaijan was held in the margins of the 58^th session, focusing in particular on Armenian prisoners of war in Azerbaijan.

During the 58^th session, the Permanent Mission of Armenia co-sponsored the side-event “Strengthening the right to free Education to Transform Millions of lives” organized by the core group of states on the Right to Free Education.

Armenia also took part at the traditional cultural event of national costumes held in the UN in the framework of HRC session, showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage through its national dress.

The next, 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council will start in June 2025.

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