Partners

Within its mandate HRRC cooperates with a range of stakeholders, local and international organizations, non-governmental and governmental entities. Learn more about our partners below.

Platforms

Human Rights Research Center believes that collaborating with supporting structures is crucial in responding to attacks on rights protection. As a part of this commitment, we are associated with several platforms and sectoral groups. Learn more about the platforms and network we are part of below.

1. Civil Society Fraction of the Multi-stakeholder Group of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

The Human Rights Research Center is a member of the CSF of the EITI's Multi-stakeholder Group since 2023.
The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is a global Standard that promotes the open and accountable management of natural resources, with membership in 57 countries, including Armenia.
In each implementing country, the EITI is supported by a coalition of government, companies, and civil society.
Formation of the EITI Multi-stakeholder Group, composed of representatives from the Government, mining companies, and civil society, is one of the mandatory steps in the EITI implementation process.
Armenia's EITI MSG is composed of representatives from the Government, mining companies, and civil society. The latter constitutes the Civil Society Fraction of the EITI MSG.
Currently, the CSF is composed of representatives from 5 non-governmental organizations, and Anahit Simonyan - the Director of the Human Rights Research Center - is amongst them.

About EITI find here

2. Council on Women's Rights Adjunct to the Human Rights Defender

The Human Rights Research Center has been a member of the Council on Women's Rights Adjunct to the HRD since 2022. The Council serves as an advisory body to the Human Rights Defender of Armenia concerning women's rights protection.

The objectives of the Council include assisting the HRD in promoting women's empowerment, supporting women's economic advancement, ensuring gender equality, enhancing women's political participation, prohibiting gender-based violence (GBV), identifying GBV cases, providing assistance to victims of GBV, and conducting in-depth studies on systemic issues related to women's rights protection. Based on these studies, the Council develops recommendations for the HRD.

The Council comprises representatives from non-governmental organizations and individual experts who have a proven track record of expertise in the field of women's rights protection.

About Council on Women's Rights Adjunct to the HRD find here

3. "Juremonia" platform of civil society organizations for justice sector reforms in Armenia

The Human Rights Research Center has been a member of the Juremonia platform since 2022.

The purpose of the Platform's activity is to increase the involvement of civil society organizations in justice sector reforms, raise public awareness about these reforms, promote public and media engagement in the monitoring process, and enhance public confidence in the implementation of justice.

The tasks of the platform include preparing regular monitoring reports on the progress of justice sector reform strategies and existing challenges, as well as developing joint advocacy strategies and action plans to ensure targeted and effective participation of civil society in the justice reform agenda.

The initiators of the platform are the "Social Justice" NGO, "Civil Society Institute" NGO, Penal Reform International (PRI), and the Netherlands Helsinki Committee.

About Juremonia platform find here

4. Monitoring Group in Psychiatric Organizations

The Human Rights Research Center has been a member of the Psychiatric Organizations Monitoring Group since 2019.

The Monitoring Group in Psychiatric Organizations is an independent body.

The purpose of the Group's activities is the protection of human rights in psychiatric institutions, prevention of human rights violations and the improvement of the legislative framework regulating the field of mental health, as well as public awareness raising .

The Monitoring Group in Psychiatric Organizations is authorized to visit organizations providing psychiatric care and services without warning. Its main objectives include observing the state of protection of human rights of persons receiving treatment and care, as well as evaluating building conditions and engaging in conversations with individuals and workers within these organizations

The Group's activities are based on the RA Law “On Psychiatric Aid and Services” and the Order of the RA Minister of Health No. 3496-A.

The Monitoring Group in Psychiatric Organizations sees the policy of deinstitutionalization as the basis of reforms in the field of mental health, which provides an opportunity to overcome a significant part of the problems recorded during observations and to ensure the realization of the fundamental right of people with psycho-social health issues to live an independent and dignified life.

Currently, the Group is coordinated by the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly-Vanadzor․

About Psychiatric Organizations Monitoring Group find here

5. Extended Gender Thematic Group (GTG)

The Human Rights Research Center has been a part of the Gender Thematic Group since 2018.

GTG's primary objective is to promote and support the integration of gender considerations into Armenia's development agenda.

The GTG focuses on enhancing Armenia's adherence to international treaties on women's and girls' rights, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and similar agreements.

In line with its mandate, the GTG collaborates with UN agencies, international development partners, and non-governmental organizations to assist the Government of Armenia in addressing gender-related issues.

From 2023 to 2023, the coordination of GTG activities is entrusted to the UNDP, the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia, and the Government of Armenia, represented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

About GTG find here

6. National Assembly-Civil Society Cooperation Platform

The Human Rights Research Center became a member of the National Assembly - Civil Society Platform in 2019.

The platform's goal is to involve civil society in legislative initiatives focused on empowering women in political, economic, and social spheres, while also promoting gender equality and equal opportunities for women and men.

Oxygen Foundation coordinates the activities of the platform.

About National Assembly - Civil Society Platform find here

7. Anti-discrimination Stakeholder Group

The Human Rights Research Center has been a member of the Anti-discrimination Stakeholder Group since 2018.

The primary objective of the Group is to advocate for the enactment of a comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation in Armenia.

Specifically, the Group focuses on aligning the Draft Law "On Equality" with international human rights standards and Armenia's international commitments, with the aim of its adoption.

Eurasia Partnership Foundation coordinates the activities of the Group.