YEREVAN. – The Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) of Armenia, Arman Tatoyan, recently paid a visit to the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic/NKR).

In Artsakh, he met with President Bako Sahakyan, Foreign Minister Masis Mayilian, Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan—Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and staff of the NKR Human Rights Defender, Office of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia informed.

At the talks, the discussants conferred on the protection of the rights of Artsakh Armenians, and relevant cooperation.

“The political status of a territory cannot be an obstacle for the protection of rights,” the respective statement by the Armenian ombudsman’s office reads, in particular. “International human rights organizations need to accept this well-known precept that lies at the foundation of the creation of these very organizations.

“The guarantee of [human] rights should not be dependent on the status of a territory.

“The Artsakh civil society, Human Rights Defender should be engaged in international processes related to human rights.”