On September 28, RA human rights defender Kristinne Grigoryan met with Leila Kayachik, the special representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on Migration and Refugees, within the framework of her working visit to Strasbourg.

Defender Grigoryan presented to Leila Kayachik the challenges of ensuring the rights of refugees and asylum-seekers in Armenia, including those who arrived in Armenia from the Russian Federation and Ukraine, and the activities carried out by the Defender's staff in that direction.

Leyla Kayachik presented her mandate and emphasized the work and cooperation with states and human rights protection institutions within the framework of fulfilling CE convention obligations.

Referring to the Human Rights Defender's report published on September 16, Grigoryan emphasized the need to ensure the living conditions of at least 7,600 people displaced from Gegharkunik, Syunik, and Vayots Dzor regions as a result of Azerbaijan's attack, stressing the importance of special protection for women, the elderly, children, and people with disabilities, who constitute the majority of displaced people.

Both sides agreed to continue cooperation in the direction of specific actions, including supporting the institution of the Defender.

The Defender also met with Christophe Poirel, Director of Human Rights Affairs of the General Directorate of Human Rights and Rule of Law of the Council of Europe.

During the meeting with Christophe Poirel, the programs implemented jointly with the Office of the Human Rights Defender within the mandate of the General Directorate were discussed, in particular, the results of the "Human Rights and Women in the Armed Forces of Armenia" program and the importance of its continuation were discussed.

In his speech, the defender emphasized the high level of continuous practical cooperation with the Yerevan office of the Council of Europe, stressing the need to adopt and start the new Armenia-CoE action plan, as well as presented proposals on planning new program directions within the framework of other possible mechanisms of the Council of Europe, aimed at supporting the institution of the Human Rights Defender.

Referring to the urgent need to ensure the rights of displaced persons as a result of Azerbaijani aggression, the Defender pointed out the importance of providing appropriate support within the framework of the new Armenia-CE 2023-2025 Plan and reaffirmed the readiness of the Defender's staff to continue efforts aimed at deepening cooperation.