International Disability Rights Monitor

"The tremendous disparity in disability law from one country to the next is astounding. The only way to ensure that every government in the world provides equal treatment and respect to its citizens with disabilities is to hold them accountable to a set of standards established through a Convention."

- Dr. William Kennedy Smith, Founder and Chairman of the CIR

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International Disability Rights Monitor - Armenia Launch: IDRM Regional Report of Europe Armenia Launch: IDRM Regional Report of Europe

YEREVAN, ARMENIA (December 3, 2007) Today the IDRM Regional Report of Europe was launched in Armenia. The event, sponsored by the British Embassy Yerevan, was held at the Tekeyan Centre.

The country launch was held by:

Mr. Armen Alaverdyan, IDRM Armenia researcher, Unison NGO Executive Director
Mr. Armen Harutyunyan, Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) of Armenia
Ms. Naira Sultanyan, Project Manager, British Embassy Yerevan

Participants:

Representatives from the National Assembly of Armenia, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Communication and Transport, Ministry of Urban Development, Yerevan Municipality, and other officials
Representatives from disability and human rights NGOs
University students

After brief opening remarks, Mr. Armen Alaverdyan presented some of the major findings of the report to the audience. Then the floor was given to Mr. Harutyunyan and Ms. Sultanyan. Mr. Harutyunyan stressed the importance of the IDRM Report for the improvement of disability legislation and practices in Europe and particularly in Armenia. Ms. Sultanyan said the findings of the report would help to advance the rights of persons with disabilities in the country. After the questions and answers section, a discussion on the future steps to improve the disability situation in Armenia took place. Distribution of both hard copies and CDs containing the report concluded the event.

This event, devoted to the International Day of Disabled Persons, was covered by six TV channels, two radio companies, three newspapers, one online newspaper and one magazine. In addition, the same day two TV companies (Public Armenian Television and “AR” TV company) featured Mr. Alaverdyan with his IDRM Report presentation in their live shows.

Prior to the IDRM Report launch, a public action was held by the Unison NGO at the Tekeyan Centre. This Centre, inaccessible for wheelchair users, is one of the traditional venues for various events. In order to attract public attention to this problem, Unison volunteers suggested that all of the guests should spend some time in wheelchairs and be carried up the stairs of the Tekeyan Centre.