The common objective of UNHCR and the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia is the defense and protection of the individual and collective rights and guarantees of refugees, asylum seekers and stateless persons which are guided by the memorandum of understanding between the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia and UNHCR. This Memorandum of Understanding aims to establish a framework of cooperation between the Parties in order to visualize joint capacities and actions for contributing to the fulfilment of rights of refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons and other persons in need of international protection, in addition to ensuring their access to justice.
Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia and UNHCR co-operate in the following areas:
- Promotion and dissemination of international refugee law and human rights law.
- Promotion of the effective implementation by the Republic of Armenia of its international legal obligations to refugees under the 1951 Convention/1967 Protocol, other relevant human rights treaties and applicable national law.
- Strengthening the co-operation between the Human Rights Defender and UNHCR in order to reinforce the legal and institutional framework for the protection of refugees, asylum-seekers, stateless persons and other persons in need of protection in the Republic of Armenia, and for the prevention and reduction of statelessness.
- Undertaking of joint comparative research studies on the situation of refugees, asylum-seekers, stateless persons and other persons in need of international protection in the Republic of Armenia.
- Provision by UNHCR, when necessary, of technical advice and support for the preparation of reports, studies and action plans by the Human Rights Defender to enhance the protection of refugees, asylum-seekers, stateless persons and other persons in need of protection in the Republic of Armenia.
- Undertaking of joint public awareness, information and human rights education activities to foster a positive and respectful attitude towards refugees and others in need of protection; and
- Participation and joint sponsorship of conferences, seminars and other meetings on topics of common interest, recognizing that both Parties may invite each other to participate at the conferences or meetings held by each other, in accordance with their existing rules and when such meetings address matters of common interest.
In September 2023, the Representative of UNHCR Armenia, together with the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia, visited the Kornidzor registration site in Syunik province to observe the situation on the ground and discuss the envisaged humanitarian response activities by UNHCR.