On October 21, Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan, accompanied by representatives of her staff, conducted a working visit to Shirak Province.

As part of the visit, she went to the detention facility of the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Mushi Police Department to meet with individuals detained in Gyumri on October 20. The grounds for their detention and the state of their rights protection were reviewed. Private interviews were held with the detainees; the content of these interviews is confidential and not subject to publication.

During the working visit, Anahit Manasyan also met with Shirak Governor David Arushanyan. The discussion focused on issues related to the protection of human rights in the province.

The Defender emphasized the importance of proper cooperation between all authorities, noting that joint efforts are necessary to continuously improve the systems directly affecting human rights protection.

As part of the visit, the Defender also visited the communities of Amasia and Ashotsk. In Amasia, she met with the community head, Jemma Harutyunyan, and discussed local-level issues and possible solutions.

In Amasia, the Defender visited a kindergarten, a cultural center, and a library to observe their activities and conditions firsthand.

Anahit Manasyan also held meetings with residents of Amasia and Ashotsk, including individuals forcibly displaced from Artsakh. The discussions addressed various community and social issues, including education, employment, public transport, road construction, and access to state and municipal services.

Particular attention was given to access to passport services in Amasia and to road construction issues in Ashotsk.

“The protection of the rights of residents in the regions is one of my top priorities. Visits to different communities reveal a variety of issues, and effective cooperation with state and local self-government bodies is essential to resolve them. Ensuring proper systems for every citizen to exercise their rights is a key condition for building a just and respectful society,” said Anahit Manasyan.

The Human Rights Defender’s working visits to the regions of Armenia are ongoing, aimed at examining the state of human rights protection on site, documenting existing issues, and promoting effective solutions.

The results of the visit will be summarized, and appropriate measures will be taken within the Defender’s authority regarding the identified issues.