Human Rights & Democratization
Court of Cassation Overturns Decision in Soldier Death Case After Peace Dialogue NGO Appeal
Following multiple rejected appeals by the Prosecutor’s Office, the First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction of Gegharkunik Marz, and the Criminal Court of Appeal, Peace Dialogue NGO’s special appeal to the Court of Cassation was accepted on January 31, 2023. The Court of Cassation’s recent ruling annulled the 2022 decision of the Criminal Court of Appeal, upholding the victim’s legal successor’s complaint and highlighting procedural violations during the investigation.
Strengthening Security Sector Reform in Armenia: A Multi-Stakeholder Collaborative Roundtable Dialogue
Armenia in Focus: Navigating the Eastern Partnership, Regional Security, and European Integration
“…Despite 58% of the Armenian population favoring EU membership, EU-Armenia relations remain vulnerable to Russian influence…”
Working meeting at the National Assembly
On 4 June 2020, the representatives of the National Assembly’s Standing Committees on Defense and Security and Protection on Human Rights and Public Affairs hosted the staff of Peace Dialogue NGO’s project called Civil Society Support for Democratic Oversight Processes of Human Rights Conditions in the Armenian Army.
PD provides legal assistance related to the cases of human rights violations in the Armed Forces
Peace Dialogue NGO provides legal assistance related to the cases of human rights violations in the Armed Forces. For obtaining legal counsel, you can visit Peace Dialogue NGO office (Vanadzor, Myasnikyan 12/40) or contact by phone at +374 (55) 82 06 32 or +374 (322) 2 13 40.
Invitation for Collaboration
Peace Dialogue NGO announces a call for cooperation with representatives of civil society organizations in monitoring the RA Ministry of Defense’s (MoD) activities in the scope of the Action Plan 2020-2022 deriving from the RA National Strategy on Protection of Human Rights (HRAP Action Plan 2020-22).
For participating in this initiative entitled Civil Society Support for Democratic Oversight Processes of Human Rights Conditions in the Armenian Army, launched in May 2020, please, fill in the application form attached to this article.
The deadline for application submission is 25 June, 2020. Only successful candidates will be contacted.
National multi-stakeholder platform on democratic security sector oversight
At the beginning of 2020, Peace Dialogue NGO became involved in the activities of National multi-stakeholder platform on democratic security sector oversight. Aiming to promote democratic-civilian oversight of the security sector in Armenia, the platform brings together representatives of government agencies operating in the security sector, oversight bodies, and civil society organizations.
Discussion on the Activities Implemented by the Armenian MoD within the Framework of 2017-2019 Action Plan Derived from the National Strategy for Human Rights Protection.
Meeting participants emphasized the importance of civil society monitoring, and they expressed willingness to work together in developing the next three-year action plan.
Are criminal investigations related to non-combat deaths in the army carried out objectively?
A discussion entitled Investigation of criminal cases initiated in non-combat deaths in the army: is comprehensive, thorough and impartial investigation of cases guaranteed? took place on 12 September 2019 in Article 3 Club. The event was the result of cooperative efforts between Peace Dialogue NGO and Article 3 Club. Some of the criminal cases launched based on deaths recorded over the past 10 years have been dropped or suspended during the judicial process. Meanwhile, some are still in the preliminary stages of investigation. Victims’ successors cannot find out the real causes of their relatives’ death, and it has become common practice that those responsible for these criminal acts go unidentified and are not punished.
Second Working Meeting of the Monitoring Group for Defense Ministry Actions Based on the National Human Rights Action Plan
The second working meeting of the Monitoring Group, developed as part of the “Proactive Civil Society Participation in the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights in the Armenian Military Forces” program, took place on 10 July.
