Helsinki Committee of Armenia

Description

The Helsinki Committee of Armenia, known as HCA, is a human rights non-governmental organization based in Yerevan, Armenia. It was established in 1995 as a watchdog to monitor and protect human rights and to support Armenia’s bid to join the Council of Europe.

HCA works on the rights of ethnic and religious minorities, freedom of speech and assembly, children’s rights, and protections against discrimination and torture. It also follows fair trial rights, electoral rights, labor rights, and the rights of prisoners and military servicemen. The group holds conferences, seminars, rallies and public discussions across Armenia.

The organization monitors elections and has been accredited by Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission to observe polling stations. It publishes annual reports on the state of human rights in Armenia, along with reports on freedom of assembly and other thematic issues. It has also brought cases before the European Court of Human Rights on behalf of people affected by rights violations.

HCA has maintained partnerships since 2005 with the European Union, the National Endowment for Democracy, the OSCE, Open Society Foundations and the United States Embassy in Armenia, and it cooperates with other Helsinki committees across Europe.