STEPANAKERT. – A delegation led by the newly elected Human Rights Defender (Ombudsperson) of Armenia, Kristine Grigoryan, on Friday was hosted in the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) National Assembly (NA), the latter informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

The ombudswoman of Armenia was first received by deputy speaker Gagik Baghunts of the Artsakh NA. The parties discussed cooperation between the two Armenian republics. Grigoryan informed that she is in constant contact with Artsakh ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan, and assured that they will further strengthen the ties in terms of monitoring, recording violations, and protecting the rights of Artsakh people at international instances.

Stepanyan, for his part, stressed the need to continue the current programs.

Both sides highlighted the experience of Artsakh during the 44-day war in the fall of 2020, and the need to intensify the activities of the ombudsperson's office in the post-war realities.

Then the meeting continued in an expanded format, with the participation of the heads of the factions of the Artsakh NA and the chairpersons of its leading committees.

The Artsakh MPs raised urgent matters related to human rights. Artsakh ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan, in turn, spoke about the need to have the ombudsman office’s regional branch in Martakert region. And Kristine Grigoryan voiced her intention to convene a joint conference in Artsakh.