Patients’ rights take centre stage in Armenia after the ratification of the Oviedo Convention

Advancing human rights and strengthening human dignity in healthcare were at the centre of the International Conference on patients' rights held on 26-27 February, following Armenia's ratification of the Convention on human rights and biomedicine (Oviedo Convention)*. The event marked an important milestone aligning the country's healthcare system with European human-rights standards.

Ratification of the convention in 2025 was not the end of the efforts. Extensive work has been carried out to align Armenia's legal and policy framework with the principles of the Oviedo Convention through open discussions with healthcare and legal professionals. Capacity-building initiatives, expert discussions, and workshops have strengthened the knowledge of healthcare, legal, and related specialists, enabling them to apply these principles in daily practice.

The objective of the event was to reinforce Armenia's efforts to translate the principles of the Oviedo Convention into concrete reforms in line with the European standards, in order to reinforce the protection of patients' right as a cornerstone of modern health systems.

Organised in cooperation with the National Assembly and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia, the event brought together policymakers, healthcare professionals, legal experts, patient organisations, civil-society representatives and international partners. The conference was opened by the Speaker of the National Assembly; the Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan, the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Arsen Torosyan and human-rights defender Anahit Manasyan also took part in the opening session.

"Health protection is not just a policy choice. It is a human imperative and a core condition for the enjoyment of human rights, social cohesion, economic prosperity and democratic stability across Europe," said Rafael Benitez, Director for social rights, health and environment of the Council of Europe. "Our organisation will always stand ready to support the Armenian authorities and institutions in their efforts to promote and ensure respect for human rights, including the right to health protection".

The Armenian Government representatives reiterated their commitment to further promote the principles of human dignity, patient autonomy, equitable access to healthcare, privacy and informed consent, and patient-centred care in close cooperation with the Council of Europe.

The conference was organised by the Council of Europe as part of its Project on "Protection of human rights in biomedicine III" implemented under the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026.

*The Oviedo Convention is the only legally binding international instrument dedicated to human rights in biomedicine and healthcare

The Oviedo Convention

The Council of Europe's work in the area of health