Civil Society Uses UN Tools to Improve Human Rights in Armenia
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process established by the United Nations to evaluate human rights conditions in all UN member states. Created by the UN Human Rights Council, its goal is to promote and protect human rights worldwide by assessing each country’s adherence to its human rights obligations.
Armenia’s next official UPR review is scheduled for May 2025.
On February 21, several CSOs from Armenia participated in Armenia’s national Pre-Session in Geneva ahead of the UPR review. The event was organized by UPR Info NGO.
As a follow-up, on March 3, DDF hosted an information session with representatives from Human Rights House, PINK Armenia, the Women’s Resource Center, and the Women’s Support Center, (CSOs) and diplomatic missions. The session focused on
- Reviewing how the Armenian government has implemented the recommendations made by the UN member states since the previous UPR in 2020
- Highlighting key human rights challenges and concerns
- Presenting new recommendations for the upcoming UPR in 2025
Earlier, in October 2024, DDF jointly with several dozen CSOs submitted a comprehensive report regarding human rights situation in Armenia as part of the UN Human Rights Council’s UPR process. The report covers critical issues, including justice and anti-corruption reforms, protection of human rights defenders, prevention of torture and ill-treatment, combating gender-based violence, freedom of assembly, expression, and information, electoral rights and non-discrimination, property rights and environmental safety, tights to life, health and education.
These efforts aim to ensure that Armenia remains accountable for its human rights commitments and continues making progress in key areas.