The Incidents Recorded at the “Aghbyur” Camp Require an Independent Investigation and Accountability

Dignity Humanitarian NGO is following with deep concern the publicly reported information regarding children staying at the “Aghbyur” Camp within the framework of the summer recreation programme implemented with funding of the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

The published videos, photographs and numerous testimonies from parents provide grounds to believe that the children may have been placed in conditions that did not meet the minimum requirements established by law and international standards regarding children’s health, safety, sanitary and hygienic condition, and dignified recreation.

If the reported facts are confirmed, this may concern not only the improper organization of services but also potential violations of children’s fundamental rights.

It is particularly important to note that the beneficiaries of this programme were children from the most vulnerable groups, including children from socially disadvantaged families, children deprived of parental care and children of fallen servicemembers. The State has a legal obligation towards these children to ensure the protection of their rights to life, health, safety, dignified treatment and the best interests of the child.

Children’s safety and dignity cannot become victims of administrative negligence or ineffective oversight.

Social vulnerability must never become a reason for receiving lower-quality services.

Every child, regardless of their social status, has the right to rest in a safe, healthy, dignified and development-oriented environment. Ensuring this right is a constitutional, legislative and international legal obligation of the State. Any violation of this right must receive a comprehensive legal assessment and result in accountability as provided by law.

Article 37 of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia guarantees the protection of children’s rights and establishes the State’s obligation to ensure the child’s full development.

The same requirements also arise from Armenia’s international commitments undertaken in the field of children’s rights.

Of particular concern is the fact that only after complaints from parents, media reports and significant public reaction were the children transferred to other camps where, according to parents and children, appropriate conditions were ensured.

This circumstance raises serious questions regarding the effectiveness of state oversight mechanisms.

We call on the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the competent state authorities to:

1. Immediately initiate an independent, impartial and comprehensive investigation to establish all the circumstances surrounding the incidents.

2. Publish the full findings of the official investigation, ensuring transparency and public accountability.

3. Conduct a legal assessment of both the alleged violations and the effectiveness of state oversight mechanisms.

4. Identify and hold accountable, in accordance with the law, all officials and organizations whose actions or omissions may have endangered the rights of the children.

5. Review the entire system for the selection and financing of state-funded children's camps.

6. Introduce mandatory independent certification and pre-admission audits of children's camps before they are authorized to receive children.

7. Establish independent monitoring mechanisms, with the participation of civil society representatives, to oversee such programmes throughout their implementation.

8. Ensure that the results of inspections of all state-funded children's camps are made public and remain accessible to the public.