YEREVAN, 14 JUNE, NOYAN TAPAN: On June 14, Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakossian received UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders Margaret Sekaggia who arrived in Armenia based on the permanent invitation transmitted to the UN Special Procedures in 2006. As stated in the press release by the Department of Press and Information of the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UN Special Procedures have mainly received such invitations from countries of Western Europe and out of the CIS countries, only from Armenia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. In general, there are 39 UN Special Rapporteurs. Arman Kirakossian presented the Armenian authorities’ steps toward strengthening the institute of human rights defense in Armenia, including financial assistance and underlined the importance of the structure’s independence. It was mentioned that there are over 3,000 registered and functioning non-governmental organizations in Armenia. During the meeting, the parties also discussed the results of the Universal Periodic Review. It was mentioned that the commitments made within the framework of the process will be fulfilled after the official confirmation of the report during the Human Rights Council session in September. The commitments will be presented to RA state structures, non-governmental organizations and representatives of civil society. An agreement was reached to meet to jointly discuss and present considerations after the meetings and visits to be held in Armenia.

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