"Refugee and Migrant Children" HELP online course launched

The HELP online platform offers lawyers, as well as specialists in various fields, the opportunity to learn the standards of the Europe Council, the ECHR case law, as well as the positions of the UN and EU bodies. 

Lilit Mirzoyan, Deputy Director of the YSU European Studies Center, emphasized the importance of holding this event, noting that the courses offer a valuable opportunity for advancing the field and enhancing professional skills.

"We are combining two initiatives today. The event participants will testify about the importance of the topic, the sector's development, and the new opportunities it presents. Last year, the YSU European Studies Center, in cooperation with UNHCR and the Council of Europe, conducted the HELP online course "Asylum and Human Rights" for various specialists in Armenia. The second pilot phase of this course, adapted to the local context, saw participation from 24 specialists across various institutions, including the Migration and Citizenship Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the General Prosecutor's Office, the Border Guard Troops, the Appeals Administrative Court, the Administrative Court, the Chamber of Advocates, and others," said Lilit Mirzoyan. She added that the Center for European Studies is committed to continuing cooperation, enhancing efforts, and addressing all topics related to human rights.

Sergey Ghazinyan, an expert at YSU European Studies Center, and a HELP tutor, is the tutor of "Refugee and Migrant Children" and "Asylum and Human Rights" online courses. He holds the necessary license for conducting these courses and has participated in several related training sessions. He shared that the trainings attract representatives from various fields, each bringing their unique perspectives to the discussion, which enriches the process. Participants not only enhance their skills and engage in sector-specific discussions but also exchange valuable experiences.

"The course is particularly crucial given the recent deportations to Armenia, including the forced displacement of ethnic Armenians from Artsakh. We are experiencing a sharp increase in migration flows. Armenia, which was previously a country of emigration, is now also becoming a destination for migrants, leading to a significant rise in asylum claims. Previously, there were about 250 claims a year, but this number has surged to 1,000," said Sergey Ghazinyan.

The course will last 8 weeks, during which the participants will go through comprehensive modules covering topics such as basics of the legal framework, child-friendly procedures, alternatives to detention, family reunification, social rights and integration, guardianship, and age assessment. 

David Best, Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees at the Council of Europe, highlighted in his online speech that the courses are an effective means of equipping human rights professionals with relevant knowledge and skills. He emphasized that these resources will be valuable for their future work in the field.

"Council of Europe HELP courses are designed to address the requirements of professionals and provide high-quality retraining. I would like to highlight that, in consultation with state representatives, the Council of Europe has developed a comprehensive package to address the refugee situation in Armenia. This targeted initiative aims to support Armenia and its people in overcoming these challenges," emphasized David Best. 

Artyom Sedrakyan, Senior Project Officer for "Protecting the Rights of Armenian Children in Post-Conflict Context" at the Council of Europe Yerevan, spoke about the goals of the joint initiative, noting: "The course launched today is part of a series of similar programs designed to equip professionals with crucial knowledge and skills for protecting children and addressing their needs. I encourage participants to engage fully and gain as much knowledge as possible, as their efforts will contribute to improving the lives of children."

During the event, online speeches were made by Ganna Koptsiukh, Protection Officer, UNHCR Representation in Armenia, Ana-Maria Telbis, Head of the Justice and Human Rights Training Division at the Council of Europe, Dolfin Lenontghi, Legal Affairs Representative of the UNHCR Representation in European Bodies in Strasbourg, Musa Khasanov, Senior lawyer of the Department on Execution of ECHR judgments at the Council of Europe. 

At the end of the event, participants who successfully completed the HELP online course "Asylum and Human Rights" were awarded certificates.