OSCE Organization
arch 18 2005
OSCE and Council of Europe experts discuss freedom of assembly
legislation with Armenian authorities
YEREVAN, 18 March, 2005 – Experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Venice Commission of
the Council of Europe met yesterday with the Armenian authorities for
consultations on amendments to the Armenian law on Conducting
Gatherings, Meetings, Rallies and Demonstrations.
Both organizations have made suggestions as to how the legislation,
adopted in April 2004, can be brought into compliance with
international standards. These consultations are a part of
wide-ranging co-operation between the Venice Commission and the
OSCE/ODIHR on legislative reviews and support in a number of
countries.
The consultations with Tigran Torosyan, Deputy Chairman of the
National Assembly, and David Harutyunyan, Minister of Justice,
addressed key issues such as the possibility for spontaneous
demonstrations as well as the freedom to counter-demonstrate. Also
discussed were notification procedures, grounds for restrictions on
and termination of public assemblies and responsibility for the
conduct of participants in a public assembly.
Armenia has committed itself to amend the law following a Council of
Europe Parliamentary Assembly resolution, which called on the
Armenian authorities to introduce amendments to the law on
demonstrations and public assemblies by March 2005, in order to bring
the legislation into full conformity with Council of Europe standards
to ensure freedom of assembly in practice.
The consultations provided a basis for consolidation of the proposed
amendments, which is to be finalized by end of April.
For further information, please contact:
Urdur Gunnarsdottir
ODIHR Spokesperson, Press and Public Information Adviser
Public Affairs Unit
OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
Aleje Ujazdowskie 19
00-557, Warsaw
Poland
Tel.: +48 22 520 06 00 ext. 4162
+48 603 683 122 (mobile)
Fax: +48 22 520 06 05
E-mail: [email protected]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress