One of the participants of "Justice, new challenges-the right to an effective remedy before an independent tribunal" Iranian human rights activist, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi visited Nikol Pashinyan, chief editor of "Haykakan Zhamanak" newspaper, at the "Nubarashen" penitentiary institution. She also visited Sasun Mikayelyan, Sarkis Hatspanyan, and Zhora Sapeyan.

"Prison is not the place where a journalist should be" said the Iranian human rights activist after the meeting with Nikol Pashinyan, mentioning that she met the journalist not in the cell, but in the room for visitors. "All of the political prisoners, whom I met today, told me that unfair verdicts were made. I was not allowed to meet them in the cells; I met all of the prisoners in the room for visitors. I have brought them a flower" said Shirin Ebadi to the journalists. The human rights activist stated that if there are 14 political prisoners in Armenia, in Iran there are 1000 and more.

"And I have been provided with an opportunity to meet detention places in Armenia, it is almost impossible in Iran", said Ebadi, pointing out that President Serj Sargsyan gave her an opportunity to have free access to detention places.

"During our meeting he said that detention places are open and you can visit anybody at any time", Ebadi told the journalists, stating that the president had not used "political prisoner" term during the talk, and continued that the people who are in the prisons are imprisoned not for their political activities, but for violation of the law".

During the meeting with the representatives of the opposition the Iranian human rights activist inquired about their criminal cases in details "I have been political prisoner myself and I am particularly interested in the destiny of the political prisoners. I have been protecting rights of the political prisoners for about 20 years. Wherever I go, I pay particular attention to the destinies of the political prisoners".

Shirin Ebadi gave a positive reply to the question on whether she thinks that after FIDH 37^th Congress and her visit to the detention places, Armenian authorities would release the people who were imprisoned because of post-electoral events.

"Yes, it is possible, as a number of participants of the Congress joined rally participants and

demanded to release political prisoners". Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi considered human rights situation in Armenia "comparatively better" among other post-soviet countries.

"We have come here to help Armenia record a real improvement in the justice system", said Souhayr Belhassen, FIDH President, at the press conference.

We should also mention that many human rights activists in Armenia have boycotted the Congress.

"It is their, our colleagues' position, and we welcome any position", said Chief of the Board of Civil Society Institute Artak Kirakosyan.

FIDH President Souhayr Belhassen was hosted by RA President Serj Sargsyan. He wished successful and efficient work to the participants of the Congress and expressed hope that they would have an opportunity to learn about history and traditions of our country.