RA Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan delivered a speech at the high-level segment of the 58th UN Human Rights Council session.

“Dear President, ladies and gentlemen,

First, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the representative of Switzerland, H.E. Mr. Jürg Lauber, and to the entire Bureau of the Human Rights Council on your election. We wish you success and stand ready to support your critical mission.

Today, as the world continues to grapple with the consequences of brutal conflicts, forced displacement, and gross violations of fundamental rights, the urgency of strengthening the human rights pillar of the United Nations is more urgent than ever.

The scale and gravity of crimes and gross violations and our collective inability to effectively prevent and ensure accountability threaten the core values ​​on which the United Nations and its human rights system were founded, the fundamental norms to which every one of us has subscribed without reservation. In this context, the role and visibility of the human rights system have grown dramatically. More and more individuals, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders are engaging with the Human Rights Council, invoking the Special Procedures and treaty body mechanisms. This is evidence that the human rights pillar continues to be a source of hope and inspiration for justice for millions of people, our citizens.

Mr. President,

I am proud to note that even in the most difficult times, Armenia continues to progress in consolidating and strengthening its democratic institutions, strengthening judicial independence, and fighting corruption to build a more equal and just society. We have recently established a National Mechanism for Strengthening International Accountability in the Field of Human Rights and its Follow-up, and we view it as an essential domestic tool to ensure a rights-based approach in all policy areas. Later this year, Armenia will submit its 4th Universal Periodic Report, which was finalized based on extensive consultations between state and non-state actors.

Armenia remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting and promoting human rights, both domestically and globally. We strive to provide platforms for diverse views and to find solutions to the most pressing issues in the human rights and humanitarian spheres. In this context, last December, Armenia hosted the 5th Global Forum Against the Crime of Genocide. The Forum brought together officials, eminent experts, representatives of international organizations, UN special procedures mandate holders, civil society, and academics, who addressed the role of small states in shaping and advancing the prevention agenda, discussed the development of UN early warning and rapid response mechanisms, focusing on the need to improve operational and political coherence. Participants also discussed the functions and roles of various regional and global organizations, international judicial bodies, and gaps in the overall multilateral architecture.

Armenia also hosted the 8th Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on Ancient Civilizations, placing the issue of cultural heritage protection at the center of the discussions.

The following year will be pivotal for my country and our commitments to advance global environmental goals, as the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity will be held in Armenia. We prioritize organizing an inclusive Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Armenian Presidency will strive to manage a practical Conference with full and meaningful participation, including civil society, academia, indigenous peoples, local communities, women’s and youth organizations, and other relevant stakeholders. Armenia looks forward to working with UN Member States, civil society, and non-governmental organizations to effectively organize this important international environmental conference to put global environmental processes back on the path of sustainable development and ensure genuine inclusiveness in terms of multi-stakeholder participation.

Mr. President,

A year ago, in my speech, I elaborated on Armenia's challenges. Unfortunately, most of these challenges remain unresolved despite the tremendous efforts of my country. Statements from our eastern neighbor continue to cast doubt on Armenia’s 

Despite recognizing each other’s territorial integrity, territorial integrity was based on the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration, which, among other things, reaffirmed that the administrative borders of the Armenian SSR and the Azerbaijan SSR had become the international borders of independent republics. Moreover, at this very moment, there are ongoing sham trials in Azerbaijan against 23 Armenians who have been arbitrarily detained, in complete disregard of the human rights standards required for a fair trial.

A year ago, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights informed this Council that the Office of the Commissioner had sent two missions to Armenia to collect information on the situation of over 115,000 ethnic Armenians. We are confident that the results of these missions will be an essential contribution to advancing reconciliation efforts.

The Republic of Armenia, remaining committed to its agenda of establishing peace and stability in our region, has made several constructive proposals to the Azerbaijani side, including in the context of the Peace Treaty, the opening of transport infrastructure, the mechanism for mutual arms control and verification, and others, taking into account the need to conclude a strategic agreement regulating all key issues. We are convinced that the constructive response, further engagement, and demonstration of political will of both sides will significantly contribute to the opening of a new era of peace in our region. In this context, I would like to reaffirm once again the readiness of the Armenian side to turn the page on hostility and establish institutionalized peace. We are not only ready for this, but we will not deviate from that path,” the speech reads.