AZG Armenian Daily #162, 10/09/2005

Human rights

OMBUDSMAN’S FIRST SPECIAL REPORT ON VIOLATION OF PROPERTY RIGHT

Citizens Keep on Complaining of Compensation

Human rights advocate of the Republic of Armenia, Larisa Alaverdian, told a
press conference September 8 that her first report on mass violations of
property rights of Armenian citizens are available at

The special report being first of its kind came as a result of the current
situation in the country and as fulfillment of the ombudswoman’s promise to
release reports on various cases of human rights violations beginning from
autumn. As Mrs. Alaverdian put it, they chose the most painful issue –
property rights violation. Though her annual report highlighted this issue,
as she said, there were no expected results. Despite this fact, the
ombudswoman still believes that the problems caused by the reconstruction of
Yerevan can find easy solution.

Mrs. Alaverdian rebuffed the widely circulating idea that the authorities
are guided with the principle “Armenia is not only Yerevan and Yerevan is
not only the downtown”. She thinks that the same process can be carried with
respect to citizens’ rights by simply paying the market price for the flats
and houses.

At any rate, the human rights defender thinks that her special report will
assist but not stymie that process. Mrs. Alaverdian called the report an
analysis which points out to the violated legislative regulations but
meanwhile offering the steps to take for solving the problems caused by
property rights violation. The report also includes the cases of concrete
families, that is to say evidence of violation.

On the occasion of the UN’s International Literacy Day on 8 September,
Larisa Alaverdian said that international days should be marked in Armenia
not to isolate ourselves from the world community. Highlighting the issue of
literacy, Mrs. Alaverdian added that there are children in rural areas of
Armenia who do not attend school. She welcomed Armenian government’s steps
in this direction, stressing the aid to the children of poor families.

By Aghavni Harutyunian