The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, conducted a visit to Armenia from 3 to 5 February 2026, focusing on three topical issues: anti-discrimination, violence against women and the human rights of Karabakh Armenians displaced to Armenia.

During his visit to Armenia, Michael O’Flaherty held discussions with civil society organizations. CSOs raised concerns about violence against women, entrenched gender stereotypes, lack of a comprehensive anti-discrimination framework. Program Director of Rights Centre NGO, Tatevik Gharibyan also participated in these discussions and highlighted the need to ratify Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Convention) by Armenia. In the released statement, the Commissioner acknowledged Armenia’s substantial progress in human rights protection, notably through reforms of legislation on anti-discrimination and on gender-based violence. The Commissioner noted that violence against women remains a pervasive challenge and urgent concern and encouraged the authorities to take the final step and ratify the Convention. He further recommended to address misconceptions and disinformation surrounding the Convention.

More information is available via the link: https://www.coe.int/en/web/commissioner/-/armenia-build-on-human-rights-progress-in-non-discrimination-combating-violence-against-women-and-integration-of-karabakh-armenians