“The statement by the European Union aims at legitimizing the fraud” (video)
How can the human rights be fully defended in Armenia, when the authorities don’t have strong desire to correct the situation? Besides, there isn’t enough pressure by the international organizations. Chargé d'Affaires of the EU Delegation to Armenia Dirk Lorenz answers the question raised during the conference dedicated to the human rights: “The EU has clear position on this issue. We continue supporting human rights defense in Armenia by actively communicating with the civic society. In the near future we will provide EUR 11 million for reforms in the legal sphere, but if we notice, that the reforms aren’t implemented, we will stop funding.” The European Union’s statement on December 6 referendum aims at legitimizing the fraud. Dirk Lorenz doesn’t share this viewpoint of the discussion participant. “Sometimes it seems that the international organizations stand by the authorities, but actually it is the problem of Armenia and Armenians.” Women’s rights in Armenia remain a vulnerable area. Though 60% of women in Armenia have higher education, they aren’t fully involved in social-political life. Bradley Busetto, UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia, notes, “Women’s rights in Armenia are in complicated situation. Only two ministers and 2% of village heads are women.” Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan singles out the cases of family abuse. Alas, in Armenia it is still shameful to publicly speak of that type of abuse. “When the parents give priority to a male child, the possibility of family abuse is increasing,” thinks Natalia Vutova, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan. The UN General Assembly proclaimed 10 December as Human Rights Day in 1950.
