THE PACE RAPPORTEUR OBSERVED THAT DATA ON THE NUMBER, LOCATION AND LIVING CONDITIONS OF IDPS FROM THE BORDER ZONE IS TO AN EXTENT MISSING
ArmInfo
2009-06-16 15:54:00
ArmInfo. There is no specific legislation for the protection of IDPs in
Armenia. The Government claims that all IDPs are Armenian citizens,
the refugees from Azerbaijan have been encouraged to naturalise,
and that all citizens enjoy the same rights and do not need specific
legislation, John Greenway’s report ‘Europe’s forgotten people:
protecting the human rights of long-term displaced persons’ says.
It also says that the legislation grants all refugees and naturalised
persons the right to protection and assistance. However, the
living conditions of most (former) refugees have not improved. Most
conflict-induced refugees are dispersed in rural areas and in towns
and cities, mainly in the capital Yerevan and in Syunik, Tavush
and Gegharkunik provinces. A few have been able to buy a home;
some inhabit the houses vacated by the Azeri refugees during the
conflict. However, many still face the problems of inadequate shelter
and extreme poverty. According to information received from local
civil society organisations, of the 280 original "dormitories" for
refugees and IDPs, there still exist 150, where conditions are very
basic. Unemployment among the refugee/IDP community is considered to
be three times more than for the mainstream population, and poverty
is rampant. Families face difficulties accessing material needs, are
often not in the position to take care of their children’s education,
and lack basic social and economic rights.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
