As part of her working visit to the Lori region, Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan visited the “Sabine” Small Group Home in Vanadzor, a facility dedicated to supporting children in difficult life situations.

Founded in 2018 by the “Armenian Caritas” benevolent NGO and funded by “Caritas Austria (Innsbruck),” the center serves as an alternative family-type care service where children receive essential care and support. Accompanied by the Project Manager Tamara Simonyan and the center’s staff, the Defender toured the facility to observe the building conditions, infrastructure, and the daily operations of the staff, as well as the children’s everyday life and living conditions.

During the visit, Anahit Manasyan engaged in a warm and sincere conversation with the children, personally inviting them to visit the Office of the Human Rights Defender. Various issues related to the protection of children’s rights were also discussed with the professional staff.
 

Emphasizing the necessity of addressing systemic challenges, Anahit Manasyan stated: “Ensuring the best interests of the child must remain a constant priority for the state. It is fundamental to guarantee the right of every child to be heard, as well as their rights to education, health, and full social inclusion. Systemic issues require urgent solutions and consistent action.”

The Human Rights Defender’s engagement with children is ongoing, and issues concerning children’s rights are addressed by the Defender’s Office on a daily basis.