“Mr. President,
Distinguished delegates,
It is a distinct honour and privilege to lead the Armenian delegation in the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review. We appreciate this opportunity to reflect on our progress and outline future priorities in a spirit of constructive engagement.
We are proud to be here today with a representative delegation, reflecting Armenia’s strong commitment to this process. Our team includes Deputy Ministers from the Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs; Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports; Ministry of Environment; and Ministry of Health, as well as colleagues from the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs.
Mr. President,
Armenia attaches great importance to the UPR process, viewing it not only as a platform for international dialogue and cooperation but as a meaningful tool for national introspection, institutional development, and human rights dialogue. The key strength of this process lies in its inclusivity, as it goes beyond governments, engaging a broad range of national stakeholders. In this spirit, Armenia has promoted participatory approaches throughout its UPR cycles, also contributing to the strengthening of the process as a member of the UPR group of friends. In February 2023, Armenia submitted its third voluntary mid-term report of the UPR.
The Fourth UPR report was prepared with the active participation of the representatives of all stakeholder ministries and agencies and underwent a public consultation process.
To monitor the progress and ensure institutional coordination, Armenia has established a National Mechanism for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-up (NMIRF) by decision of the Prime Minister of Armenia. Coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Mechanism serves as a centralized platform to streamline inter-agency cooperation and ensure systematic implementation and reporting on Armenia’s international human rights obligations.
We have continued to engage closely with the UN human rights system, including treaty bodies and special procedures.
Mr. President,
Since our last review in 2020, Armenia has faced unprecedented challenges, including the global COVID-19 pandemic, military violence, large-scale displacement, and the consequences of military attacks on Armenia’s sovereign territory. These have profoundly impacted our population, having put Armenia’s resilience to the test and highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive support to protect the most vulnerable. Despite these challenges, Armenia has remained committed to advancing its reform agenda - anchored in democracy, human dignity, and the rule of law.
Armenia’s fourth cycle report outlines the progress made in implementing the recommendations received during the third cycle. It details the legislative, institutional, and policy measures, structured around a number of thematic clusters, each capturing key areas of reform.
To strengthen international commitments, Armenia has ratified several key human rights instruments, including the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and Protocol No. 13 to the ECHR concerning the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances. Beyond its immediate UPR commitments, in 2023, Armenia ratified the Rome Statute.
As part of our ongoing efforts to advance legal and judicial reforms, Armenia adopted the Strategy for Judicial and Legal Reforms 2022–2026, together with its Action Plan which consists of 12 strategic objectives. These reforms are focused on reinforcing judicial independence, increasing efficiency, and promoting integrity - all anchored in the principles of transparency and accountability. In this context addressing the backlog of court, particularly in the civil justice system was a key priority. I’m pleased to note that we have achieved 80% reduction in the backlog of civil cases. Another important development has been the enhancement of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including the establishment of a fully operational International Arbitration and Mediation Center in 2023.
To ensure more robust anti-corruption measures, Armenia has established a comprehensive framework that brings together judicial, investigative, and preventive institutions. The next Anti-Corruption Strategy for 2023–2026 has been adopted, and the legal framework including enhancements to the integrity-checking mechanism and the asset declaration system has been expanded. Tangible results have been achieved in the whistleblowing system. In addition, the mandate and oversight powers of the Corruption Prevention Commission have been significantly reinforced, allowing for more effective monitoring and accountability.
In the area of non-discrimination and human rights protections, Human rights protection Strategy and deriving Action Plan are in the process of implementing measurable benchmarks. National action plans and targeted strategies have been implemented, addressing gender equality, children’s rights, trafficking, and disability inclusion. A draft law on equality and protection from discrimination is developed. Human Rights Defender, an independent institution in Armenia with highest A status in line with Paris Principles, will act as an equality body.
In implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fostering inclusive socio-economic development, Armenia has prioritized areas such as education, access to healthcare, poverty reduction, and digital connectivity. Investments have been made in rural infrastructure, clean water, and sanitation. Gender-responsive budgeting has been mainstreamed, and social protection schemes have been strengthened to support vulnerable populations.
In line with our country’s commitment to promote civil and political rights, electoral processes have been reformed to enhance accessibility and transparency, including through the use of voter identification technologies in line with international standards. Legal provisions for campaign financing have been clarified. In 2024, Armenia ranked 43rd on the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index, up from 49th in 2023. Armenia has joined the Freedom Online Coalition, in reaffirmation of our strong commitment to digital rights and press freedom.
The fight against trafficking in persons has been reinforced through the adoption of the 2023–2025 National Program. Services for victims—such as emergency shelter, medical assistance, and psychological care—have been expanded and are now state-funded. Budget allocations for trafficking-related services have doubled since 2019.
Progress in realizing economic, social, and cultural rights has been underpinned by systemic reforms. Free school meals, inclusive education, distance learning platforms, and large-scale school and preschool construction have been prioritized. Reforms in healthcare have extended emergency medical services, bringing our country closer to universal health coverage. Labor legislation has been modernized to promote decent work, ensure equal opportunities, and prohibit all forms of forced labor.
To support women’s rights and gender equality, gender mainstreaming has been incorporated across national strategies and public budgeting. Reforms have been made to domestic violence laws, and support services have been expanded to include shelters and economic empowerment initiatives. Armenia’s role as co-leader of the UN Generation Equality Coalition has been reinforced through its efforts to promote women’s leadership and technological inclusion.
The implementation of UNSC resolution 1325 on Women, peace and security is one of the Government’s national and international priorities. Armenia has finalized its Third National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security for the period of 2025–2027, entitled "Investing in Global Efforts for Peace". The NAP aligns with Armenia’s national development strategies and international commitments, while aiming to strengthen the role of women in decision-making related to peace and security, prevent gender-based violence, and enhance post-conflict recovery efforts.
The rights of persons with disabilities have been strengthened through the adoption of a rights-based legal framework and the implementation of a new WHO-aligned functionality assessment system. State-funded services such as personal assistance and inclusive education have been reinforced. Reforms to enhance accessibility and public awareness are contributing to increased social participation and reduced discrimination.
In the area of children’s rights, Armenia has developed a new draft law on the rights of the child and expanded the scope of family-based care options, including foster care and daycare services. Institutional mechanisms to prevent early marriages, strengthen child protection, and support inclusive education have been enhanced. Juvenile justice processes have been revised, and efforts have been made to ensure that the voices of children are heard and protected.
Mr. President,
Armenia has encountered numerous challenges over the past four years. In September 2023 as a result of force displacement of the entire population of Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia hosted more than 115.000 refugees in just a few days.
Armenia is taking all necessary steps to address the needs of these people, in particular, to ensure their inclusion in the country’s educational, social and health systems.
Armenia continues to draw attention to humanitarian issues, including missing persons, enforced disappearances, and the ongoing detention of Armenian PoWs and detainees in Azerbaijan. We emphasize the need for close cooperation in clarifying the fate of the missing and strict compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law in addressing the situation of detainees.
Mr. President,
Throughout the reporting period, Armenia has also remained an active and principled participant in global human rights processes. During its term as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council (2020–2022), Armenia prioritized urgent issues such as the prevention of genocide and mass atrocity crimes, the promotion of freedom of expression, the protection of minorities, and the rights of vulnerable populations. We continue to play an active and principled role in international human rights cooperation, particularly in combatting discrimination and intolerance, and in the prevention of genocide. Armenia initiated the establishment of 9 December as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime, and consistently submits a Human Rights Council resolution on genocide prevention.
Armenia remains firmly committed to the Universal Periodic Review process and views this dialogue as a unique opportunity for peer engagement and mutual support. We recognize that the promotion and protection of human rights is an ongoing endeavor, and we stand ready to engage constructively with all delegations and to carefully consider all recommendations received during this review.
I thank you.”
