On December 8, 2008 an event entitled Human Rights in Armenia took place in Yerevan. The event was dedicated to 60th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights and organized by Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Armenian Committee and All Armenian Union of Women. Representatives of different NGOs, political parties as well as wives of political prisoners, human rights defenders, journalists and citizens took part in the event. During the event a brief presentation of Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Armenia’s commitments was made, current situation with Human Rights in Armenia debated, Tigran Paskevichyan’s Otarum film screened and discussed. Attorney Varduhi Elbakyan reported on recent human rights violations in Armenia and conducted Q&A session. As a result of the meeting, participants signed an appeal (more than 150 signatures). “At the time when entire world celebrates the 60th anniversary of Universal Declaration more than 70 political prisoners are kept in Armenian prisons, hundreds of people are prosecuted and fired from their jobs only for their political views, losing their property and means to survive they are forced to flee their country”. The appeal ends with “We believe that recognition, restoration and protection of inherent human rights for the people in Armenia is the way to solving the crisis, the way to build society based on respect and protection of human rights, society that aims at democracy and freedom”. STATEMENT We, women of Armenia, while assembled in Yerevan for special event dedicated to the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, join the 2008 advocacy campaign “dignity and justice for all of us“ launched by the UN Secretary General, reiterate once again our commitment to universal values of dignity and justice. Since its adoption in 1948, the Declaration has been and remains a source of inspiration for national and international efforts to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms. The core values of the Universal Declaration – inherent human dignity, equality, non discrimination, fairness and universality apply to everyone, everywhere and always. The universality of the quintessential shared human values binds us together, no matter where we were born, or where we live. The principles and values set forth in the Declaration serve as cohesive force in today’s globalized world. The Declaration is enduring and vibrant and concerns us all. The goals put forward are not luxury or wish list, they are requirements of daily life of people all over the world and very precisely address the inspiration of Armenian women gathered at this event in Yerevan to celebrate the UN Human Rights Day and 60th Anniversary of that historic document. Almost hundred years ago illustrious Armenian women writers and intellectuals declared as one of their core human rights principles of justice, dignity and equality in their Declaration of women’s rights. Today in modern Armenia, it is the dignity of people which is at stake, it is justice and equal and fair application of laws that women demand for them, their husbands, family members and the societies they live in. It is freedom of expression of their views and human and professional integrity that is under threat in today’s Armenia. At the time when entire world celebrates the 60th anniversary of Universal Declaration more than 70 political prisoners are kept in Armenian prisons, hundreds of people are prosecuted and fired from their jobs only for their political views, losing their property and means to survival they are forced to leave their country. The escalation of the authoritarian regime leads to loss of rich and diverse human capital. We believe that recognition, restoration and protection of inherent human rights for the people in Armenia is the way to solving the crisis, the way to build society based on respect of human rights, society that aims at democracy and freedom. Yerevan 08.12.2008