YEREVAN. – U.S. Embassy, Delegation of the European Union to Armenia, British Embassy, OSCE Office in Yerevan, Council of Europe Office in Yerevan and Counterpart International honoured individuals working to promote human rights, accountable governance, civic activism and free speech in Armenia at the Universal Rights Awards Ceremony at the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan. 

Since 2012, the Universal Rights Awards Ceremony was the first multi-mission initiative to highlight the contributions of Armenia’s civil rights activists, government officials, and media and civil society representatives to the promotion of human rights.  Armenian government officials, foreign diplomats, NGO representatives, and the press attended the event.  

Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan, Oleksandr Pavlyuk awarded Levon Barseghyan, Director of Asparez Club with the “Freedom Defender” Award. 

“Levon has demonstrated extraordinary courage and remarkable personal commitment in defending a broad spectrum of rights and in providing an open platform for the exercise of free speech to virtually anyone irrespective of their political, national, social or religious views,” said Mr. Pavlyuk.

The British Ambassador to Armenia, Kathy Leach, awarded Europe in Law for “Civic Activism.” In her speech she said, “The winners of this year’s civic activism award – Europe in Law Association – have shown that one vital tool for protecting our right to vote is the legal system itself.  It requires a professional and painstaking approach with a first-class understanding of the law - this group of young lawyers have shown that they have the determination to make a difference.”

“Media Excellence” Award was given by the country representative of Counterpart International in Armenia, Carel Hofstra, to Civilnet. “Civilnet has changed and improved the media landscape in Armenia. By bringing context to news, using all the technological opportunities that social media offer and by mobilizing young local and diaspora reporters Civilnet sets a high standard for media outlets in Armenia,” said Mr. Hofstra.

Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, Ambassador Andrey Sorokin presented the “Woman of Courage” Award to Naira Arakelyan, Head of Armavir Development Centre. “Naira has demonstrated tremendous courage promoting economic, social and political development in her community.  She is truly an inspiration, and I am proud to recognize someone who embodies the spirit of the commitments on which the OSCE is founded,” Ambassador Sorokin said. 

The Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia Traian Hristea, presented the “Government Reformer” Award to the Alaverdi Mayor, Artavazd Varosyan.  “Local communities are important building blocks of Armenian society and have the potential to become hubs of positive change.  Mr. Varosyan sets the example of a community leader who promotes transparent and inclusive local government,” said Ambassador Hristea.