There is no specific legislation for the protection of IDPs in Armenia. The Government claims that all IDPs are Armenian citizens, the refugees from Azerbaijan have been encouraged to naturalise, and that all citizens enjoy the same rights and do not need specific legislation, John Greenway's report 'Europe's forgotten people: protecting the human rights of long-term displaced persons' says.
It also says that the legislation grants all refugees and naturalised persons the right to protection and assistance. However, the living conditions of most (former) refugees have not improved. Most conflict-induced refugees are dispersed in rural areas and in towns and cities, mainly in the capital Yerevan and in Syunik, Tavush and Gegharkunik provinces. A few have been able to buy a home; some inhabit the houses vacated by the Azeri refugees during the conflict. However, many still face the problems of inadequate shelter and extreme poverty. According to information received from local civil society organisations, of the 280 original "dormitories" for refugees and IDPs, there still exist 150, where conditions are very basic. Unemployment among the refugee/IDP community is considered to be three times more than for the mainstream population, and poverty is rampant. Families face difficulties accessing material needs, are often not in the position to take care of their children's education, and lack basic social and economic rights.