One year ago in the frame of the program “The development of human rights defender’s office’s capacity during the elections of the Republic of Armenia 2012-2013” there were established regional offices of Ombudsman in six regional centers of Armenia.

One year ago in the frame of the program “The development of human rights defender’s office’s capacity during the elections of the Republic of Armenia 2012-2013” there were established regional offices of Ombudsman in six regional centers of Armenia.
These offices had a significant importance not only for the needy population with its numerous problems but also for the effective operation of the existing NGOs in the regions.
“Armenian Caritas” BNGO recognizing the importance of services provided by the staff of the RA Human Rights Defender undertook an active cooperation with the regional offices in the cities of Gyumri, Vanadzor and Gavar. Due to this cooperation the organization was able to organize the rights protection of those elderly people, children of vulnerable families, and people with disabilities who are involved in the programs of Armenian Caritas. With joint efforts of the Shirak regional office of the RA Human Rights Defender and Armenian Caritas reviewed the draft of the changes in the RA law on “The rights protection of people with disabilities and their social involvement” suggested by the Social Committee of the RA National Assembly and addressed corresponding recommendations to the Committee.
In order to strengthen the cooperation between “Armenian Caritas” BNGO and the office of ombudsman there was signed a memorandum of understanding on 7 March by the AC executive director Anahit Mkhoyan and the ombudsman of the RA Karen Andreasyan. According to the memorandum the parties will continue the cooperation in different program fields directed to the vulnerable groups.
The official part of signing was followed by the discussion of the ways of further cooperation between the organizations. The coordinator of the RA Ombudsman’s Shirak regional office Karapet Poghosyan, the head of the Child Rights Unit at the Ombudsman’s Office Aida Muradyan, the defender of the rights of people with disabilities Tatevik Khachatryan and PR officer of Armenian Caritas Ophelia Minasyan also took part in the discussion.