The Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan received the CoE high-level delegation headed by Mr. Christos Giakoumopoulos, the Director General of the Council of Europe Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law.
The Delegation consists of directors of the Ocuncil of Europe key structures: the Secretary of the Venice Commission Mr. Thomas Markert; the Executive Secretary of the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) Mr. Gianluca Esposito; the Head of Justice and Legal Cooperation Department of the Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law Ms. Hanne Juncher and Political Adviser of the Directorate of Political Affairs Mr. Maxime Longangué.
During the meeting the parties discussed issues pertaining to the judicial reforms and fight against corruption in judicial system in the Republic of Armenia. The Human Rights Defender informed that these issues are under his primary attention. In particular, there are some issues in judicial system relating to the internal and external independence of the courts, lack of civilian’s trust towards judicial system, etc.
All the reforms should be aimed at ensuring fair trial by the courts and effective protection of other rights. The Defender also expressed his readiness to support the Government and the Parliament in the fight against corruption and judicial reforms within his mandate, especially when there are issues requiring urgent solutions.
The CoE high-level delegation valued the role of the Human Rights Defender in human rights protection in the country.
The Defender valued the role of civil society in all these processes and expressed his readiness to promote their participation.
During the meeting the parties jointly underlined that the judicial reforms should be implemented solely in accordance with the Constitution and international legal standards.
The parties expressed their readiness to continue the cooperation in strengthening human rights throughout the country and in line with Armenia's international commitments.