Human rights in the armed forces in focus for a study visit to Sweden by a delegation from Armenia’s Ministry of Defense and staff from the Human Rights Defenders Office
On 22-23 November 2022, a 12-person delegation from the Ministry of Defense (MoD) and the Human Rights Defender’s Office of the Republic of Armenia (HRDO) participated in a study visit held at the Armed Forces headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. The visit was organized within the framework of the Council of Europe’s project “Human Rights and Women in the Armed Forces in Armenia – Phase II.
The delegation included the Defense Minister’s Assistant and Gender Advisor, the Head of the Department of Human Rights and Integrity Building, Deputy Human Rights Defenders, representatives of the Women’s Council of Military Units and other professionals from the Ministry of Human Rights and Integrity. HRDO.
The two-day visit consisted of briefings and discussions at the Armed Forces on disciplinary systems, including but not limited to whistleblower protection in the Armed Forces, know-how and methods required to be an effective instrument for the promotion of human rights and gender equality in the Army, including prevention of haze and discrimination. In addition, a visit to one of the garrisons was organized, where the representatives of the Armenian delegation met with local employers and military police. The Armenian delegation also visited the Nordic Center for Gender in Military Operation.
The Armenian and Swedish counterparts emphasized that the study visit provided an opportunity to discuss topics of mutual interest and common challenges with the peers. Representatives of the Armenian delegation were particularly interested in the system of military discipline, including the whistleblower system, as well as conscription, which as of July 1, 2017 became mandatory in Sweden for men and women. According to the Program of the Government of Armenia for 2021-2026, the strengthening of human rights and the promotion of women in the armed forces are part of the strategic agenda of the Government of Armenia for human rights. The large-scale process of structural and material reforms of the Armed Forces of Armenia has begun with the aim of gradually transitioning into a professional army. In this respect, the experiences from Sweden were of particular interest.
The project is implemented by the Council of Europe within the framework of the Council of Europe’s action plan for Armenia for 2019-2022.