Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor - Armenia 2023-2027

Strategic goal 1. Protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and advocacy for the rule of law The legal support provided by HCAV belonged to property rights and social security, followed by the right to fair trial and access to justice and right to deferment from military service or early termination of military service due to health related issues. HCAV provided legal consulting and assistance to citizens, participated and contributed to monitoring groups of closed and semi-closed institutions (prisons, mental health institutions), and advocated for implementation of ECHR judgments. HCAV provided legal assistance to around 1,000 persons, including ver 200 servicemen and conscripts. The organization provided legal consulting and assistance to citizens of Russian, Belarus, and Iran seeking asylum in Armenia due to political persecution in their countries. HCAV was able to prevent the extradition of and protection of the rights of these citizens. HCAV prepared and submitted an alternative report on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. During the reporting period, HCAV actively followed legislative process and submitted recommendations on the Labour Code and related legislation, Electoral Code and related legislation, the Law on Military Service and the status of servicemen, the Administrative Code, the Criminal and the Criminal Procedure Codes. As an advocacy effort, the HCAV held press conferences and issued statements, submitted applications to the Prosecutor General office and also identified the custody of the migration services as a new location to keep under close monitoring. The organization was been involved in the monitoring group of Judicial and Legal Reforms and the group of monitoring and assessment of the action plan for maintaining and improving mental health. Strategic goal 2 Promotion of sustainable democracy and meaningful participation Around 140 short-term observers were trained to observe the election day of Yerevan municipality in Sep 2023. Public awareness raising was conducted in the context of participation in elections as candidates and voters, rights and responsibilities of different parties to the electoral process. HCAV was involvement in the public groups, councils under state authorities, interdepartmental commissions of strategic programs and other participatory platforms including but not limited to the Constitutional reform Council, Human Rights Strategy Monitoring Council. HCAV was closely involved in the drafting of the documents and contributed to the introduction of both major mechanisms and minor technical changes related to the Electoral Code. The organization continuously advocates for better accessibility and could be considered the co-author of several mechanisms and regulations that have made the voting process accessible. Before elections the organization worked with the Coalition for Inclusive Legal Reforms to remind political parties about ethical standards and accessibility measures they should use for campaigns. The organization also worked toward advocating for availability of information in minority languages. Within the context of Constitutional reforms it advocates for abolition of legal incapacitation. Strategic goal 3 Contribution to security and viable peace Recommendations regarding the Law on the Disciplinary Code of the Armed Forces were developed addressing women in the military. The organization collected information about the government support programs for the families of missing persons. HCAV advocated for the concept of the law on missing persons, adoption of which the organization has been advocating for years. Strategic goal 4. Ensuring continuous development of the organization Changes to the statute were made and several internal policies were drafted to facilitate the effective management and increase the integrity of the HCAV and meet the requirements set during the internal control system's assessment of the organization in 2023. Several policies were developed and adopted by HCAV to strengthen institutional capacities, particularly the following policies - Anticorruption Policy, Risk Management Policy, Whistle blowing Policy, Non-Discrimination and Gender Equality Policy.

Strategic goal 1. Protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and advocacy for the rule of law Objective 1.1. Ensure effective protection of the rights of target groups by providing legal support Objective: 12 Ensure human rights protection in closed and semi-closed institutions through continuous civil oversight Objective 13 Contribute to the compliance of human rights legislation and institutes with international standards and European Court on Human Rights (ECHR) case law through recommendations and advocacy Strategic goal 2. Promotion of sustainable democracy and meaningful participation Objective 2.1. Prevent threats to elections, including 2023 Yerevan City Council elections, and formation of representative bodies in line with democratic standards through continuous civil oversight. Objective 2.2 Promote substantive perception of political and civil rights and formation of informed civil conduct and enjoyment of rights through public awareness raising and promotion of participation Objective 2.3 Promote institutionalization of democracy at legislative and law enforcement level through advocacy and recommendations in line with international standards Strategic goal 3. Contribution to security and viable peace Objective 3.1 Promote institutional protection of the human rights of those affected by the conflict, and those in the Armed Forces through legislative recommendations, awareness raising and advocacy for institutional reforms Objective 3.2 Civil oversight of the Armenian security sector through monitoring and policy recommendations Objective 3.3 Peace education and support to peace building processes through joint initiatives Strategic goal 4. Ensuring continuous development of the organization Objective 4.1. Ensure institutional development of the Organization through continuous assessment and revision of its activity and procedures Objective 4.2. Continuously develop the professional and supplementary capacities of the staff through training