Human Rights Day marked in Armenia
Almost a thousand of young Armenians will increase their knowledge of human rights and how to promote and protect them while participating in events organized today by the UN, the Council of Europe and the OSCE Office in Yerevan with the support of Armenian partners.
Young Armenian human rights activists-film makers Ani Poghosyan and Aren Malaqyan won the prizes for the best movie at the Human Rights Film Festival and received awards at the ceremony which was held today in Yerevan.
Around 20 films were shortlisted for the award in the film festival which was conducted for the first time simultaneously in Armenia, Austria, Georgia and Ukraine and was aimed at promotion of youth activism and understanding of human rights and at raising better awareness among young people about their rights. It was jointly organized by the UN Department of Public Information Offices in the four countries in cooperation with local and other international partners.
In Armenia the festival was a joint event organized by the UN Department of Public Information, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Population Fund, the UN Development Programme, the OSCE and the Council of Europe Offices in Yerevan with the support of the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Human Rights Defender's Office.
The award ceremony continued with public debate on human rights issues led by the Chairman of the Armenian Helsinki Committee, Avetik Ishkhanyan. More than 60 young people discussed issues of human rights and how they can play a more active role in promotion and protection of their human rights and educate their peers.
The participants of the event had the opportunity to take with them publications distributed by organizers / international organizations dedicated to Human Rights issues.
The Human Rights Day activities will be concluded with an already traditional Rock Concert, which aims at raising awareness on human rights among Armenian youth through music. Three Armenian rock bands will perform: "VOX", "Exodus" and "Mher Manukyan and friends".
The Rock Concert is open for the public and will be held at the Yerevan State Puppet Theatre (Sayat Nova street, 4), at 19:00.
