On March 9, within the framework of the project “The Human Rights and Women in the Armed Forces of Armenia” being implemented by the office of the Council of Europe in Yerevan, the theme-based discussions were held in the Administrative Complex of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia which were attended by His Honour Judge Advocate Ceneral of the United Kingdom Jeff Blackett.

The first of the theme-based discussions organized in partnership with the Human Rights and Integrity Building Center of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia was devoted to the effective investigation of disciplinary violations, proportionate punishment.

The second theme-based discussion was devoted to the prevention of violence in the Armed Forces, particularly the identification of potential cases of violence against female servicemen and the introduction of the effective mechanisms for response.

The discussions were attended by the representatives of the office of the Council of Europe in Yerevan, the Embassy of the United Kingdom in the Republic of Armenia, various subdivisions of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia, the Armed Forces and the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Chairmen and members of the Women's Councils of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia.

Judge J. Blackett shared the experience on the above mentioned issues of Great Britain and the institutions and mechanisms implemented in the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom for ensuring effectiveness of the investigations of and trials over disciplinary violations and military crimes in the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom and preventing sexual assaults against women.

The project is implemented by the Council of Europe within the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2019-2022 and funded by the United Kingdom.

Action Plan level funding is provided by Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Sweden.