Statement by Mrs. Zoya Stepanyan, Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Armenia, at the UNGA 74 Third Committee, Agenda item: 66 – Rights of Children - ՄԱԿ-ում Հայաստանի մշտական ներկայացուցչություն

Statement by Mrs. Zoya Stepanyan, Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Armenia, at the UNGA 74 Third Committee, Agenda item: 66 – Rights of Children

11 հոկտեմբերի, 2019

Mr Chair,

We thank the UNICEF as well as Special Representatives and Special Rapporteurs for presentation of comprehensive reports on number of pertaining issues for protection and promotion of the rights of the child.

This year we mark the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the core treaty and a collective pledge towards protection of the fundamental human rights and guarantee for younger generation to live in dignity.
This anniversary should also serve as an important momentum for a frank conversation on the most pressing challenges faced by humanity in protection of children, especially those in vulnerable situation.

To renew our commitment to the treaty, Armenia signed the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communication procedure on 24 September 2019. Armenia will be submitting to the Committee on the Rights of the Child its combined fifth and sixth periodic reports this year. Armenia also joined the Voluntary Global pledge on “Every Child, every right” which has been launched by the Group of Friends on Children and Sustainable Development Goals.

Inclusive social development and attaining to the highest standards of human rights are the guiding principles behind every reform at national level in Armenia.

The Strategic Program for protection of the rights of the child aims at addressing the needs of children in vulnerable situation by improving the protection systems, guarantying inclusive and accessible education for children with disabilities and preventing violence against children. One of the important developments in terms of social protection of children has been Government decision on free universal health coverage for all children under the age of 18 and allocation of financial resources for this purpose.

Mr. Chair,

Deinstitutionalization of children is one of the priorities of the Government program and several major reforms have been undertaken in that direction. The logic and philosophy behind the reforms is the firm conviction that every child has the right to live in the family. Government designs programs and strategies that would prevent the children from ending up in residential care facilities by supporting families and facilitating their access to social services. Norms and regulations on foster care and foster families have also been revisited, with the adoption of number of provisions on training and monitoring of foster families.

In all these endeavors the Armenian government works hand in hand with civil society as well as international partners. We are happy to note that this cooperation delivered significant results in various areas such as awareness raising, provision of alternative services, social integration as well as deinstitutionalization, in particular for children with disabilities.

Mr. Chair,

The Report of the UNSG on the Children in Armed Conflict reveals sobering facts on the extent and gravity of crimes and human rights violations perpetrated against children.

Effective protection of children in situations of armed conflict requires strengthened commitment to the implementation of relevant international instruments and necessitates early warning and early action. Supporting free and unimpeded humanitarian access is crucial to prevent and alleviate sufferings of the children residing in conflict areas.
Armenia rejects unlawful military use of civilian infrastructure in particular schools, hospitals and places of worship. We closely work with the International Committee of the Red Cross in creating shelters and safe rooms in schools and kindergartens, located in the border regions and also undertake steps to ensure safety of schools in line with Armenia’s commitments under the Safe Schools Declaration. Armenia’s endorsement of the Paris Principles, the Paris Commitments and the Vancouver principles is yet another reflection of our commitment to promote safety of children. We are also signatory to the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict and we encourage the Member States, who have not yet done so, to join these important instruments.

Mr. Chair,

We believe that empowerment of girls by expansion and facilitation of their educational opportunities plays a crucial role for sustainable and harmonious development. Several technological centers in various regions of Armenia, such as TUMO Center for creative technologies, COAF Smart center, ARMATH Engineering laboratory all accelerate and encourage girl’s active participation in innovation and tech related sectors.

Mr. Chair,

As a candidate country for the Human rights Council Armenia pledged to foster human rights education, inter alia, through the inclusion of the rights of the child in the school curricula and by making effective use of ICT in the teaching and learning processes.

Children are the right holders but the primarily responsibility to uphold those rights rests upon adults. We look forward for reinforced action to deliver on the commitments not to leave any child behind.

I thank you

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