U.S. AMBASSADOR JOHN EVANS EXPRESSES HIS SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICE OF
THE OMBUDSMAN OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
YEREVAN, JUNE 17. ARMINFO. On June 16, 2005 U.S. Ambassador John
Evans met with Larisa Alaverdyan, Human Rights Ombudsman of the
Republic of Armenia. Ambassador Evans expressed his support for the
Office of the Ombudsman and the democratic principles for which it
stands. The press-service of the U.S. Embassy informs ARMINFO that as
an expression of this support, Ambassador Evans presented the office
with a computer to aid in its important work. The rights of women,
children, refugees, and other vulnerable groups is an important
priority for the U.S. Embassy. It should be noted that in connection
with detention of an employee of Ombudsman’s staff when taking a
bribe by the National Security Service, the processor of his computer
was confiscated at the end of May. The processor contained data on
those complaining to the Ombudsman Office. In this connection, Larisa
Alaverdyan made a statement accusing the National Security Service of
wrong acts and called it an unprecedented violation of guarantees of
independence of Ombudsman Institute. Moreover, she thinks such acts do
not contribute to formation of positive international image of Armenia.