Intervention by the Delegation of Armenia at the Interactive dialogue with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Mr. Chair,

Armenia welcomes the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Volker Türk. We believe that UN human rights system, especially its early warning and early response mechanism should be further strengthened and adequately resourced.

Our country maintain an open and constructive dialogue with the UN special procedure mandate holders as well as with the treaty bodies. We firmly believe that Member States must ensure that human rights mechanisms operate in an environment of freedom, independence, and impartiality.

In the course of the last three years, Armenia underwent several reviews in treaty bodies and organized visits of two mandate holders. We revised and consolidated the institutional framework for the follow up of the human rights obligations and commitments and will be launching the first National Mechanism for implementation and follow up in coming months.

Armenia has been consistent in its unwavering support to the prevention mandate of the human rights mechanisms as well as the OHCHR. For that end, we believe the OHCHR's field activities in the areas of documentation, monitoring, assessment, and reporting of violations of international human rights law as well as international humanitarian law are crucial for prevention efforts and protection of victims. The right to truth is also an important pre-requisite for any peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts.

We look forward to following up on the results of OHCHR missions in our region.

I thank you.