The role of the Human Rights defender of the republic of Armenia in promoting good governance in Armenia

Abstract

The major purpose of this Master’s Essay is to examine the role of the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia in the promotion of good governance in the country. With this aim, four research questions are promoted, by which the assessment of the role of the Human Rights Defender in the context of good governance is done. First, an attempt is made to find the link between good governance and human rights in the process of which it also becomes clear what good governance is. Particularly, four key elements and two practices are identified and their promotion is discussed along with the realization of certain human rights and fundamental freedoms. Second, it is analyzed how NHRIs can overall contribute to the promotion of good governance at the national level. For that purpose the competences, responsibilities, and methods of operation of NHRIs are examined in terms of their contribution to the realization of the key elements and practices of good governance and having the Paris Principles as a major reference point. Third, different models of NHRIs are studied. Then, those of their competences, responsibilities, and methods of operation are analyzed that can have the utmost contribution in the promotion of good governance. This is done to find the model that will contribute more than others to the promotion of good governance. In the last section of the Essay, the Law of the Republic of Armenia on the Human Rights Defender and the annual report of the Human Rights Defender of 2008 are analyzed as a result of which certain opportunities are identified that can help him/her contribute to the promotion of good governance. The Essay ends with recommendations on how to improve the Law on and practice of the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia so that he/she can contribute more effectively to the promotion of good governance in the country.