On October 27, a training course titled “Human Rights-Compliant Policing of Assemblies” commenced, with Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Armen Mkrtchyan delivering the opening remarks.

Deputy Minister Armen Mkrtchyan expressed his gratitude to the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), as well as the Office of the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia, for implementing an educational initiative on such an important topic.

He noted that such initiatives are important because ensuring the exercise of the right to freedom of assembly is a key responsibility of the Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and extensive institutional and legislative work has been carried out in this area.

Armen Mkrtchyan emphasized the importance of continuous education and training aimed at maintaining public order during assemblies, particularly by drawing on international experience.

He stressed that the Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs should view the organization of assemblies as a platform for the exercise of citizens’ rights.

The Deputy Minister noted that such training courses for police officers also help prevent mass disorder and criminal offenses.

Representatives of the Office of the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), as well as officers from various units of the Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, attended the event.

The training course was organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Office of the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia.