ArmenPress
Jan 21 2005
ARMENIAN OMBUDSWOMAN WARNS AGAINST PLACING HER STAFF UNDER THE
AUTHORITY OF A GOVERNMENT BODY
YEREVAN, JANUARY 21, ARMENPRESS: Armenian human rights defender
Larisa Alaverdian has warned against pending legislative changes
which would place the staff of her office under the authority of the
Civil Service Council. In a letter to president Robert Kocharian she
argued that the move runs counter both to “the idea of the human
rights defender institution and the Armenian law on Human Rights
Defender.’
She also said the move is inconsistent with the so-called Paris
principles and other relevant international requirements. A statement
disseminated by her office says that the institution of ombudsman is
based on the principle of “full independence from state and local
government bodies and their officials, a principle that would be
violated should the staff of the office be placed under the authority
of the Civil Service Council.”
Mrs. Alaverdian also cites the relevant Armenian law that was
accepted in line with relevant internationally accepted standards and
norms after standing the test of international experts. “The law
clearly sets out the Office of Ombudsman as an independent body,…
and any restrictions on ombudsman’s freedom is unacceptable, ” the
statement says.
The statement says also that no other country, including
post-Soviet republics, has reserved the right to form the staff of
ombudsman to a government body.