ARMENIAN OMBUDSPERSON BACKS CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
By Ruzanna Stepanian

Armenialiberty.org, Armenia
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Oct 12 2005

Armenia’s state human rights defender, Larisa Alaverdian, expressed
on Wednesday her support for draft constitutional amendments that
will be put to the referendum next month.

“I am not in a position to campaign for or against the amendments,”
she told RFE/RL. “But if you ask me whether the amendments contain
provisions which broaden a person’s capability to protect their rights,
I will say yes.”

The most contentious of constitutional changes sought by President
Robert Kocharian and his governing coalition concern a shift of powers
from the Armenian president to the government and parliament.

The Armenian authorities, backed by the Council of Europe, say they
would put in place a more effective system of checks and balances.

But their political opponents dismiss the proposed changes as cosmetic.

Alaverdian said she is only concerned with those provisions of
Kocharian’s draft that deal with human rights. She singled out a
provision empowering the human rights ombudsperson and ordinary
citizens to appeal to Armenia’s Constitutional Court. Under the
existing constitution, only the president of the republic, at least
one third of parliament members as well as election candidates have
such a right.

Alaverdian also pointed to another draft amendment that would restrict
the president’s controversial authority to appoint and sack virtually
all judges. The head of state would supposedly have no control over
Armenia’s Justice Council which has the exclusive right to make
judicial nominations.

The ombudsperson admitted that the proposed change can only
“theoretically” make Armenian courts independent of the executive
branch of government. “In practice, it will probably take a generation
to end their dependence,” she said. “Having said that, this is at
least half a step forward.”

Alaverdian also endorsed another amendment which would affect her
directly. She was appointed by Kocharian in accordance with the
current constitution. The amendment would transfer that prerogative
to the National Assembly. Its enactment would require the legislature
to either re-appoint her or name a new ombudsperson.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress