YEREVAN (ArmRadio)–Armenia’s first Human Rights Library was officially opened in Yerevan on Tuesday, as part of a joint initiative by the State Human Rights Defender’s Office (HRDO), the UN Development Program in Armenia, and the Raoul Wallenberg Institute on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law.
The library, located in the Human Rights Defender’s Office, was implemented as part of the UNDP’s program to strengthen the Human Rights Capacity of the Human Rights Defender’s Office in Armenia. It was financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.
The library was presented an Armenian translation of the textbook on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights during the inaugural ceremony, attended by representatives from the Armenian judiciary system, national libraries, universities, as well as representatives from international organizations, local NGOs and the media.
“Human rights is first of all culture and education, then it’s a way of living and thinking, said Armenia’s human rights ombudsman, Armen Harutiunian, in his opening remarks during the ceremony.
Also speaking during the inauguration was Consuelo Vidal, the UN Resident Coordinator of the UNDP. “The promotion and protection of human rights is a basis of the UN value system and the organization’s efforts in Armenia are aimed at strengthening the capacity of human rights institutions, in particular, the Human Rights Defender’s Office,” she said.
Vidal said that the Human Rights library and the Textbook on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights will be effective and useful tools for all human rights practitioners, including the staff of HRDO, students of law departmen’s, academic institutions and NGOs to better understand human rights fundamentals and carry out knowledge-based professional activity.
The UNDP “Strengthening the Human Rights Capacity of the Human Rights Defender’s Office in Armenia” project assists the HRDO in raising awareness on human rights in Armenia through the development and publication of a quarterly newsletter, publication of reports, and organization of workshops and seminars.