On 12 March, the founding meeting of the Network of CSOs for the Protection of the Rights of Forcibly Displaced from Nagorno-Krabakh (hereinafter – the Network) was held, within the framework of the “Strengthening of Rights Protection Mechanisms of Forcibly Displaced Persons (FDPs) from Nagorno Karabakh” Project.
Representatives of Artsakh NGOs, Ms Julietta Arustamyan, Executive Director of “Harmony” Shushi Women NGO, Ms Mariam Avagyan, President of “Krunk” Non-Governmental Organization for the protection of the rights of Artsakh Armenians, Ms Anahit Kosakyan, Authorized Representative of “Return to Kashatagh” NGO, Mr. Davit Yeghiazaryan, Executive Director of “Karvachar” Non-Governmental Organisation, Mr. Artavazd Khandoyan, Executive Director of “Kumairi” Artsakh Armenians’ NGO, Mr. Armen Chomoyan, representative of the same organization, Ms Mary Davtyan,Executive Director of “De-occupation of Hadrut” NGO, Ms Alla Arzumanyan, President of “Askerantsiner” Community Development Center NGO, Mr. Araz Baghdasaryan, President of “Hai Ka” Social, Security and Development Public Organization, and Mr. Karen zadoyan, President of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association participated in the founding meeting.
Ms Margarita Karamyan, Executive Director of “Return to Dizak” NGO, Ms Alvina Nersesyan, Executive Director of “De-Occupation Shushi” NGO, Ms Armine Hayrapetyan, representative of the same organization, Ms Irina Grigoryan, President of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Institute of Popular Diplomacy, participated in the meeting on-line.
Mr. Artak Kirakosyan Director of Civil Society Institute and Ms Maria Chichtchenkova, representative of the World Organization Against Torture, participated in the meeting as well. Mr. Artak Kirakosyan delivered a welcoming speech.
The Network of CSOs for the Protection of the Rights of Forcibly Displaced from Nagorno-Krabakh was founded during the meeting. The Declaration in the founding of the Network was signed and the regulations of the Network were approved. Further, the founding members formed Governing Board of Network, which includes 12 members. At the end of the Founding Meeting the participants discussed and highlighted the main issues of concern of the Artsakh Armenians.
After the Founding Meeting the first session of the Governing Board was convened. The meeting discussed the issues related to the upcoming working meetings of the Governing Board of the Network with related and other interested structures, as well as the visit to the locations of Artsakh Armenians were discussed. Ms Julietta Arustamyan, Executive Director of “Harmony” Shushi Women NGO, was elected as the Chairperson of the Network’s Governing Board by a unanimous vote of the Board Members.
According to the regulations of the Network, the Armenian Lawyers’ Association will perform the functions of the Secretariat of the Network in the near future.
“Strengthening of Rights Protection Mechanisms of Forcibly Displaced Persons from Nagorno Karabakh” Project is implemented by the “Armenian Lawyers’ Association” NGO in cooperation with partner “Harmony” Shushi Women NGO in the framework of the “Justice Reforms Monitoring in Armenia” (Juremonia) Program implemented with the financial support of the European Union. The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the integration of FDPs from NK into their new communities of residence in Armenia, enhancing access to justice and raising the level of legal awareness by strengthening their rights protection mechanisms,
This publication has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.
