Individuals promoting human rights honored in Yerevan

PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Embassy, Delegation of the European Union to Armenia, British Embassy, OSCE Office in Yerevan, Council of Europe Office in Yerevan and Counterpart International honoured individuals working to promote human rights, accountable governance, civic activism and free speech in Armenia at the Universal Rights Awards Ceremony at the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan.

Since 2012, the Universal Rights Awards Ceremony was the first multi-mission initiative to highlight the contributions of Armenia’s civil rights activists, government officials, and media and civil society representatives to the promotion of human rights. Armenian government officials, foreign diplomats, NGO representatives, and the press attended the event.

Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan, Oleksandr Pavlyuk awarded Levon Barseghyan, Director of Asparez Club with the "Freedom Defender" Award.

The British Ambassador to Armenia, Kathy Leach, awarded Europe in Law for "Civic Activism". In her speech she said, "The winners of this year’s civic activism award – Europe in Law Association – have shown that one vital tool for protecting our right to vote is the legal system itself. It requires a professional and painstaking approach with a first-class understanding of the law - this group of young lawyers have shown that they have the determination to make a difference".

"Media Excellence" Award was given by the country representative of Counterpart International in Armenia, Carel Hofstra, to Civilnet.

Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, Ambassador Andrey Sorokin presented the "Woman of Courage" Award to Naira Arakelyan, Head of Armavir Development Center.

The Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia Traian Hristea, presented the "Government Reformer" Award to the Alaverdi Mayor, Artavazd Varosyan. “Local communities are important building blocks of Armenian society and have the potential to become hubs of positive change. Mr. Varosyan sets the example of a community leader who promotes transparent and inclusive local government,” said Ambassador Hristea.