United States Department of State
28 March 2005
Europe and Eurasia
Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2004 – 2005
Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor
Armenia
The Government’s human rights record remained poor; although there were some
improvements in a few areas, serious problems remained. The president, who
is directly elected, has extensive powers that are not checked by the
legislature or judiciary. Recent elections – including the controversial
2003 presidential election – have not met international standards. There
were some limits on freedom of assembly, the media and religious freedom.
However, in a positive step toward religious freedom, the Government
registered the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Judges remained subject to pressure from
the executive branch and corruption was a problem. Some members of the
security forces committed a number of human rights abuses. Security forces
beat pretrial detainees, and impunity remained a problem. There were
instances of arbitrary arrests and detentions. In April, police used
excessive force to disperse an opposition rally, detained opposition
politicians and raided opposition party offices. The Government’s assistance
with the creation of a civilian prison monitoring board and decision to
permit independent monitoring of prison conditions were positive
developments. While the Government took steps to limit trafficking in
persons, violence against women and trafficking of women and children
remained problems. The U.S. human rights and democracy strategy focused on
the promotion of democratic institutions and processes, the development of a
vibrant civil society, fundamental freedoms, rule of law, human rights and
anti-trafficking measures. United States officials regularly met with
Armenian government officials, parliamentary opposition leaders, religious
minorities and human rights activists regarding these issues. In 2004, the
United States sent two high-level State Department officials to Armenia who
engaged leaders on a variety of human rights issues. United States officials
raised human rights concerns during all high-level encounters with Armenian
officials, including during the meetings of the U.S.-Armenia Task Force in
May and October. The Embassy hosted numerous representational events and
roundtables during the year to raise awareness and encourage dialogue in
support of these objectives.
To promote democratic institutions and processes, the United States
supported programs designed to strengthen the separation of powers. Toward
that end, the United States funded programs in Armenia to augment the
national legislative abilities to respond to citizen concerns. The Armenian
National Assembly provided its members with information they previously
lacked, such as drafts of past legislation and non-governmental organization
(NGO) literature. The United States helped the National Assembly’s Control
Chamber to improve legislative oversight of the national budget and helped
the Government improve the published budget. The United States helped
Armenian citizens access information on pending legislation. With U.S.
support and encouragement, the National Assembly improved its transparency
by holding committee hearings, publishing draft laws in newspaper inserts
and developing a tracking system for citizen inquiries and communications.
The program also provided citizens with information about the National
Assembly through the creation of a website and publication and dissemination
of draft legislation.
The United States targeted its assistance to expand civic participation,
strengthen institutions of governance, and empower citizens to hold
government accountable by encouraging laws and policies needed to create a
democratic governance framework in Armenia. United States-funded programs
helped local governments improve internal management systems, implement
transition reforms, strengthen oversight and fiscal responsibilities and
increase public accessibility and accountability.
With U.S. help, more than 13,000 people participated in 240 town hall
meetings to discuss citizen concerns with community leaders. In more than
660 dialogue groups held around the country, citizens discussed the law on
the legal status of property, community schools, privatization, community
development and apartment building administration, among other issues. The
impact of these programs was reflected in the concrete actions taken by
initiative groups that formed as a result of the dialogues. Successful
efforts included renovation of a local state college and establishment of a
library fund for the college, legalization of supplementary constructions by
building residents and improvements in the sanitary situation in
communities. Through these programs, citizens created tangible improvements
in their communities by engaging in democratic processes at the local level.
To promote the development of a vibrant civil society, the United States
gave grants and technical assistance to advocacy NGOs and continued to
foster citizen participation at the grassroots level. The United States
supported public awareness campaigns, including campaigns to address the
societal costs of corruption and the shared responsibility for combating it.
The United States also launched a program to strengthen Armenian NGOs
through 82 grants in various sectors. This program has demonstrated success
as citizen advocacy programs deepen and broaden, and according to USAID’s
NGO Sustainability Index, NGOs in Armenia have significantly increased their
self-sustainable capacity.
The United States also provided 38 small grants in 2004 to NGOs and
independent media outlets that work to strengthen democratic institutions
and promote civil society in Armenia. These embassy-based “Democracy
Commission Small Grants” addressed issues such as citizens’ use of the newly
passed Law on Freedom of Information, patients’ rights, environmental
education, the promotion of volunteerism, media literacy and the integration
of disabled youth into society.
Following the Government’s excessive reaction to peaceful opposition
protests, the Department of State issued a Statement in April which observed
that “Physical assaults, raids on political party offices and widespread
arrests and detentions of opposition activists by the police do not
contribute to creating an atmosphere conducive to political dialogue.” The
United States also sponsored international visitors to observe political
parties in action during the U.S. elections.
To promote freedom of the media, the United States provided equipment and
technical assistance to increase journalists’ level of professionalism and
objectivity. A U.S-funded International Visitors Program on media ethics
introduced Armenian journalists to democratic media practices in the United
States.
To promote the rule of law, the United States continued to engage with the
Armenian Ministry of Justice and legal institutions. With the assistance of
a U.S.-funded NGO, the Government enacted legislation creating a bar
association for defense lawyers. Human rights advocates believe that the new
association will increase the legal defense of human rights by improving the
training and organization of defense lawyers.
Senior U.S. officials consistently engaged government officials on the
rights of women, children, minorities and the disabled. In 2004, the United
States began a Children’s Tolerance Education Program in elementary schools
and closely monitored and engaged the Government on issues of intolerance.
United States officials urged greater respect for religious freedom. As a
direct result of international engagement, the Government of Armenia legally
registered Armenia’s Jehovah’s Witnesses and enacted new laws to allow
conscientious objectors an alternative to mandatory military service.
The United States increased its assistance to anti-trafficking efforts in
Armenia, aiding the Government, local NGOs and international organizations
in their efforts. With U.S. assistance, the Government began training
consular officers to recognize and assist potential victims of trafficking,
and the United States invested in informational and child-protective
prevention efforts. The United States established programs to research
trends in trafficking and assisted in the creation of anti-trafficking
legislation. The United States continued to engage the Government
diplomatically on trafficking issues. The United States also significantly
assisted NGOs in creating, maintaining and publicizing victim assistance
programs nationwide.