Armenia’s participation at the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council

08 July, 2025

The 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) took place in Geneva from 16 June to 8 July 2025.

The agenda of the session included interactive dialogues on issues related to the prevention of genocide, the independence of judges and lawyers, extrajudicial executions, the right to education, freedom of speech, climate change, the rights of internally displaced persons and migrants and violence against women etc. A number of interactive dialogues were held on the country-specific human rights situations.

Throughout the course of the session, the Permanent Mission of Armenia contributed 32 statements and aligned with 9 Joint Statements.

Statements made by the Permanent Mission of Armenia addressed the forced displacement of the Armenian population from Nagorno-Karabakh, the destruction of 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. Armenia reaffirmed the importance of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, and reiterated its commitment to the genocide prevention agenda. Furthermore, Armenia emphasized its commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace, security and stability in the region.

The statements of the Permanent Mission of Armenia also reflected Armenia’s best practices and achievements in the field of democracy, including in the fields of freedom of speech, education and social reforms.

Armenia also co-sponsored a number of important resolutions, including resolutions on the right to education, new and emerging digital technologies and human rights, peaceful assembly, safety of journalists, the negative impact of corruption, discrimination against women and girls, civil society space and violence against women and girls.

Within the framework of the HRC59th session, Armenia presented a number of important initiatives. In particular, together with France, Estonia, Costa Rica, Chile, Japan, and Kenya, Armenia initiated a side event on “The Role of International Cooperation in Closing the Gender Digital Divide”. The event was organized in partnership with OHCHR, ITU, UNICEF, UN Women, and the Kofi Annan Foundation.

In celebration of World Chess Day, Armenia hosted the inaugural Tigran Petrosian Chess Tournament at the UN Office in Geneva. The tournament was held under the auspices of the UN Office in Geneva, with the partnership and support of UNESCO, the University for Peace, the International Chess Federation, the Swiss Chess Federation and the Armenian Chess Federation.

As a member of the Group of Friends of the UPR, Armenia co-sponsored a side event titled “The UPR in the Regions”, during which Permanent Representative, Ambassador of Armenia, Hasmik Tolmajian delivered closing remarks.

As a member of the Free Education Group, Armenia co-sponsored a side event held in the framework of the 59th session of the HRC on “Free Preschool and Secondary Education”.

The next session of the Human Rights Council will commence on September 8, 2025.

MFA RA
official website

Dual citizenship

Electronic visa

Visa applications