On 30 October the Council of Europe announced the preparation of a comprehensive package of measures in response to the influx of refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia.
As reported on the Council of Europe website, following the visit of the Special Representative for Migration and Refugees (SRSG) Leyla Kayacik from 11 to 13 October 2023, a comprehensive package of measures to respond to the influx of refugees into Armenia is being prepared.
The package aims to support Armenia in resolving issues related to the accommodation of more than 100,000 Karabakh Armenians, including some 30,000 children, who were forced to flee Nagorno-Karabakh following the September 19 Azerbaijani aggression.
During her visit, Kayachik met with representatives of the authorities, international organizations and NGOs, as well as refugees located in Artashat.
In her report, she identified specific areas of support that are included in the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia (2023-26) and the Action Plan for the Protection of Vulnerable Persons in the Context of Migration and Asylum (2021-25). In particular, support will be provided to the work of the Migration and Citizenship Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the service of the Human Rights Defender, including from the point of view of informing refugees about their rights. Work will be done to improve access to health care and mental health care, and so on.
“With this focused and focused package, we will support CoE member country Armenia and its people, who are facing such unprecedented challenges and problems,” CoE Secretary General Marija Pejčinović-Burić is quoted as saying by the organization’s website.
Let us also note that on the same day, US Ambassador to Armenia Christina Quinn met with refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh.
“I heard first-hand about the traumas and problems faced by people who fled Nagorno-Karabakh. We support the efforts of the Armenian government in close coordination with humanitarian organizations to help displaced people and refugees find shelter and comfort in Armenia,” Queen wrote on social media.
Also, the official representative of the Armenian Foreign Ministry Ani Badalyan disseminated information from the Investigative Committee of Armenia about the victims among the residents of Artsakh as a result of Azerbaijan’s aggression on 19 September. In particular, according to the Investigative Committee, 14 people were tortured and 64 died during the forced exodus from Nagorno-Karabakh.There were also victims and injuries among children, the report says.
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