RA DEFENSE MINISTER RECEIVED COE COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

ArmRadio – Public Radio
Oct 8 2007
Armenia

October 8 RA Defense Minister Michael Harutyunyan received the
delegation headed by Mr. Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe
Commissioner for Human Rights.

During the meeting the parties turned to the improvement of democratic
oversight mechanisms in the Armed Forces of eth Republic of Armenia
in the framework of the defense reforms.

A number of issues connected with alternative military service
were discussed. Reference was made to the questions of human rights
protection in the Armed Forces reflected in the Armenia-NATO Individual
Partnership Action Plan.

The interlocutors also discussed questions connected with prisoners
of war and missing persons.

At the end of the meeting Minister Harutyunyan expressed hope that
the observation of the human rights defense in the Armed Forces and
the possible suggestion will help to direct our efforts in the right
direction.