12/06/2026
On 11 June 2026, ՀՀ Մարդու իրավունքների պաշտպան - Human Rights Defender of Armenia/the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia, Ms. Anahit Manasyan, received Monica Sandri, the Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Office in Armenia.
During the meeting, the Defender highly appreciated the close and effective cooperation established with UNHCR, emphasizing the importance of ongoing efforts aimed at further expanding this partnership.
Anahit Manasyan presented issues related to the protection of the rights of refugees, asylum-seekers, and other forcibly displaced persons, outlining the existing challenges and the initiatives undertaken, and emphasized the importance and continuity of cooperation with UNHCR in that regard.
The Defender noted that, at the initiative of the Human Rights Defender’s Office, a Refugee Council has been established, aimed at bringing together on a single platform representatives of civil society organizations working in the field, experts, and other stakeholders. In this context, the Defender highlighted the importance of collaboration with UNHCR, underscoring the organization’s key role in ensuring the effective functioning of the Refugee Council.
Anahit Manasyan also emphasized that the Council aims to bring attention to issues concerning the rights of forcibly displaced persons, amplify their voices, and ensure their meaningful participation in discussions on policies and decisions that affect them. In this context, one of the Council’s key objectives is to promote the enhanced involvement of these groups in decision making processes.
Monica Sandri highly appreciated the collaboration established between the Human Rights Defender’s Office and UNHCR, emphasizing its importance in protecting the rights of forcibly displaced persons, as well as in ensuring their well-being and dignified life.
Monica Sandri expressed her gratitude for the meeting and reaffirmed her readiness to continue close cooperation, highlighting the significant role of the Human Rights Defender’s Office in advancing the human rights protection mandate.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency UN Armenia - ՄԱԿ-ի հայաստանյան գրասենյակ