This study is being carried out by the Eurasia Partnership Foundation from December 2014 to February 2015, and focuses on the alternative reporting practice to UN Treaty Bodies and the UPR in Armenia. The purpose of the study was to learn the reasons behind Armenian civil society’s insufficient involvement in alternative reporting to UN treaty bodies. The project aimed at studying the history of alternative reporting by Armenian civil society and identifying the reasons for submitting or not submitting alternative and shadow reports by various NGOs. The project addressed the quality of the alternative reports produced by NGOs, and come up with recommendations aimed at strengthening the Armenian civil society capacities in these respects. It examines the history of alternative reporting in Armenia, studies the reasons for submitting or not submitting alternative reports and analyzes the quality of the reports prepared by local and international civil society organizations (CSOs) on Armenia. The study also suggests several recommendations aimed at strengthening the capacity of the Armenian CSOs.
The research is oriented at assisting Armenian civil society organizations but it can also be useful for the Armenian government and international organizations which may assist local organizations in strengthening their capacities and the preparation of alternative reports.
The report focuses on a relatively new topic which has not been examined in Armenia before. There are some reports and other documents analyzing the work of United Nations (UN) treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) from the point of view of, for example, particular rights and freedoms. However, there are no studies which contain up-to-date information on the participation of Armenian CSOs in international human rights mechanisms and particularly in preparing alternative reports to UN treaty bodies and the UPR.
The report provides an overview of awareness and the obstacles of CSOs interested in alternative reporting, which can be essential for UN treaty bodies for future policy guidelines and recommendations for working with Armenian government and CSOs for developing quality alternative reports and UPRs.
