The Chair of National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs Elinar Vardanyan met Feb 13 with EU expert Laurie Manny, with the discussion of anti-discrimination draft law in the focus of the meeting.

Ms Manny briefed on the international experience in the field, noting the drafting of a separate anti-discrimination law as the best option. Ms Vardanyan hailed the initiative, deeming some mechanism of the initial bill as incomplete. She instructed the authors to bring the ombudsman’s powers in line with those outlined in the Constitution.

The EU expert voiced readiness to consider the issues raised, noting that the initiative will grant the human rights defender a new mandate.

“The passage of the law will contribute to Armenia’s development in the protection of human rights,” she noted.

Ms Vardanyan, in turn, noted, that her committee is open to cooperation.

Upon completion of the meeting, Ms Vardanyan and Ms Manny agreed to take action to improve the bill.