More than 300 representatives from the member organizations of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) participate at the Forum in Yerevan "Justice: New challenges". Among the participants are heads of well-known organizations in the field of human rights, human rights defenders, a Nobel prize winner.

All the participants valued such a representative congress and expressed a hope that the congress discussion will contribute to the solution of issues in Armenia. In front of the Philharmonic Hall, where the opening ceremony took place, also a protest action was organized.

The opposition and some human rights organizations called the attention of  participants to the issue of Armenia.

Souhayr Belhassen, FIDH President, at the opening ceremony called to the government to release political activists imprisoned as a result of March 1 events and to organize effective investigation of the circumstances of the death of 10 people. The Federation also expressed its concerns about the impediments to the election process and free media.

"We continuously express this concern during the last months and hope to receive concrete answers," said Souhayr Belhassen.

All speakers at the opening ceremony expressed hope that discussion of the forum will contribute to the solution of local issues.

Stephan Fuele, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy, European Commission stressed that the respect for human right and rule of human rights are the condition for the partners who want to build close relations with the European Union. He added that the respect for human rights should be demanded not from the international organizations but stipulated by the national interest.

Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Yanesh Lenarchich, in his speech said that independent judicial system is the cornerstone of the human rights defense but  this phrase is often used not in its real sense but as an imitation.

Gagik Haroutyunyan, Chairman of the Constitutional Court of RA talked about the increased tendency of declaring legal acts as anti-constitutional as a result of investigation of the Constitutional Court. 

"The decisions of the Constitutional Court are an important source," said Gagik Haroutyunyan.  Gevorg Danielyam, Minister of Justice of RA talked about judicial reforms. 

On the question " Can the Forum contribute to the situation of the human rights defense in Armenia?" Avetik Ishkhanyan, Head of Helsinki Committee of Armenia, replied positively:

"I think that holding a Forum in Yerevan by such a competent organization is very important.  I do not agree with those who think that the Forum should not take place in Armenia if human rights are violated here."

Talking about the protest actions, the human rights defender said that he also sees political manipulation in this. "It is their right, I would not judge on it, but it is still the area of the political fight."

Artak Kirakosyan, Chairman of the Board of Civil Society Institute, FIDH member organization in Armenia, also said that it is normal if the protest action take place during the Forum. 

"It demonstrates that this is a real Forum on human rights.  It would be strange if it took only an academic character. I think that issues should be raised both inside and outside of the Forum."

The Forum will continue its work for two more days. Different questions on justice and challenges will be topics of plenary discussion.

Lousine Manoukyan