On January 18, the Human Rights Defender Ms. Kristinne Grigoryan received Mr. Javier Colomina Píriz, the NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, and his delegation.
The Defender expressed gratitude to Mr. Píriz for his visit and highlighted the importance of his visit to the Republic of Armenia. During the meeting, the Defender presented the institution's mandate and priority directions of activity․ Ms, Grigoryan noted that the RA Human Rights Defender's Institution has a high level of public trust and is also accredited by the UN as an independent institution.
In his turn, the NATO Secretary General's Special Representative, Mr. Javier Colomina Píriz, expressed gratitude for the meeting and emphasized the importance of bilateral cooperation. He stated that they are interested in the human rights situation in Armenia, the governance system, and the blockade of the Lachin Corridor. The representative also noted that he got acquainted with the ad hoc reports published by the Human Rights Defender, where the facts about the blockade of the Lachin Corridor were presented.
The Defender presented the institution's fact-finding activities regarding the blockade of the Lachin Corridor, which was double-checked and then reflected in reports. These reports are submitted to international organizations and actors.
Ms. Grigoryan also emphasized the intimidation of children traveling from Armenia to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) by Azerbaijani fake eco-activists on January 17, considering that such actions constitute gross violations of children's rights, which should be appropriately assessed by international organizations dealing with children's rights.
The Defender noted that 120,000 people are under siege in Artsakh, including 30,000 children, 9,000 people with disabilities, and 20,000 older persons. She noted that many analyzed facts, including the official statements of high-ranking Azerbaijani officials, the orchestrated nature of the actions of fake activists, and gas and internet shutdowns, show the policy to depopulate Artsakh organized and managed by the Azerbaijani government.
The NATO Special Representative emphasized the importance of his visit to Armenia and familiarization with the situation on the ground. The parties also discussed a number of issues concerning bilateral cooperation.
