OSCE AND COE ROUND TABLE ON THE FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY LEGISLATION IN ARMENIA
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| 16:50:03 | 03-06-2005 | Official |
Today in Yerevan, the freedom of assembly in Armenia has been the
focus of a roundtable co-sponsored by the OSCE Office for Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights, the OSCE Office in Yerevan and the
Venice Commission of the Council of Europe. The OSCE ODIHR and the
Venice Commission presented recommendations on draft amendments to
the Armenian Law on Conducting Gatherings, Meetings, Rallies and
Demonstrations which had been adopted in the first reading at an
extraordinary session of the Armenian National Assembly.
The ODIHR and the Venice Commission have been engaged in consultations
with Armenian authorities and civil society on the legislation
since March 2004. “The process whereby laws are drafted and adopted
is as important as their content. A good law requires prior broad
consultations reaching out to stakeholders”, said the ODIHR Director,
Ambassador Christian Strohal, in his opening remarks.
Mr. Buquicchio, Secretary of the Venice Commission, added: “A
democratic approach to the right to freedom of assembly must be
developed and supported with the participation of all in the Armenian
society”.
In their comments ODIHR and Venice Commission experts noted significant
improvements in the text of the amendments. However, the experts noted
a number of remaining concerns, particularly regarding proscribed
locations and spontaneous assemblies.
The ODIHR and Venice Commission experts, as well as most participants
in the roundtable suggested that Armenian authorities ensure monitoring
of the application of the law.
The roundtable gathered experts, government officials,
parliamentarians, members of political parties, civil society
representatives and diplomats. It is a part of a wide-ranging
co-operation between the Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR on
legislative reviews and support in a number of countries. The OSCE
Office in Yerevan joined in organizing the event.