On 26 November, in Yerevan, High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation Tatiana Moskalkova participates in the International Conference on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the Institution of the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia.

The International conference discusses a wide range of issues related to the role of ombudsmen in the protection and promotion of human rights, protection of women’s rights, prevention of ill-treatment in all areas.

In the discussion on «The role of national human rights institutions and the problems they face in the modern world in the protection and promotion of human rights," the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation noted the particular importance of the international component of human rights protection.

«Participation in the conference of the Prime Minister and the Head of Parliament testifies to the fact that the interaction between the Ombudsman and the authorities has passed to a new stage of development," Tatiana Moskalkova said.

In addition, the High Commissioner drew attention to the need for a coordinated strategy for the protection of human rights and freedoms and for joint elaboration of proposals to improve legislation, as well as for mutual assistance in the consideration of citizens 'applications.

«There are few states where the criterion for assessing the work of a head of a municipal district or the head of a power body is the state of human rights protection in a certain segment of public relations," the federal ombudsman said.

In her speech, Tatiana Moskalkova shared the practice of protecting human rights and freedoms in the Russian Federation.

«We have established a scientific and educational center for human rights, which can train new human rights Commissioners, Public Monitoring Commissions (PMC) employees. There is no other higher educational institution, which would specifically train ombudsmen," the High Commissioner said.

The federal ombudswoman proposed the development of a single strategic document for national human rights institutions on the promotion and protection of human rights.

«An important tool of the High Commissioner for human rights in the Russian Federation is the right to appeal to the Supreme court of the Russian Federation, any higher court in order to present arguments to the judicial authorities from an independent point of view», she said.

In conclusion, Tatiana Moskalkova thanked Arman Tatoyan for effective cooperation, which helped to restore the violated rights of citizens of both states. The federal ombudswoman concluded her speech by quoting human rights activist Andrey Sakharov: «Peace, progress, human rights — these three goals are insolubly linked to one another: it is impossible to achieve one of these goals if the other two are ignored».