On December 21, a conference dedicated to the rights protection of refugees and asylum seekers took place. It was organized in the framework of the joint project between the Representation of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Armenia and the RA Human Rights Defender’s Office. The Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan, the UNHCR Representative in Armenia Anna-Carin Öst, Head of Migration Service of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Development Armen Ghazaryan, as well as the Delegation of the Human Rights Commissioner of the Russian Federation participated in the event. Representatives of NGOs operating in the field also attended the meeting and made presentations.
During the conference, the participants discussed the steps aimed at solving issues in the field, which are stated in the 2017 Ad Hoc Report of the Defender on Ensuring the Rights of Refugees and Asylum Seekers in the Republic of Armenia. During this year, relevant state authorities took steps aimed at implementing the recommendations outlined in the Report. Particularly, legislative and practical measures have been taken to ensure the possibility of video calls for foreigners, including refugees and asylum seekers in penitentiary institutions. Internal disciplinary rules of the Reception Center, as well as other information on rights and obligations of asylum seekers living there were translated into the most common languages among asylum seekers.
Nevertheless, the relevant article regulating the principle of non-refoulement lacks a prohibition of expulsion or extradition if there is a danger that the person may be subjected to death penalty. The RA legislation does not envisage a legal status providing additional protection for those foreign citizens and persons without citizenship who are not eligible for refugee status but also enjoy the right of non-refoulement, etc.
During the conference, the Defender’s Office presented the results of monitoring visits to penitentiary institutions, Reception Centre of Migration Service and to other special institutions, as well as presented the recorded issues. Participating relevant state bodies presented their actions and projects aimed at solving these issues.
For example, in all institutions sufficient conditions should be provided in order to carry out religious rituals. It is also important to provide religious literature for refugees and asylum seekers who are deprived of their liberty, etc.
At the end of the conference, the importance of effective cooperation between the Office of the Human Rights Defender, the Representation of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Armenia and Migration Service was underlined. The joint work of relevant state bodies and NGOs was also highlighted.