PRESS RELEASE
The National Citizens’ Initiative
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 375033, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 – 10) 27.16.00, 27.00.03
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46
Email: info@nci.am
Website:
March 16, 2006
Armenia’s First Ombudswoman Presented Her Special Report
Yerevan — The National Citizens’ Initiative (NCI) today convened
a roundtable on “Gains and Losses Experienced by the Citizens of
Armenia in Year 2005.”
The meeting brought together political and social activists, human
rights advocates, analysts, experts, and media representatives.
NCI coordinator Hovsep Khurshudian welcomed the audience with opening
remarks, “The authorities had declared the constitutional referendum
of 2005 as a crucial step toward the establishment of democracy
and legitimacy in Armenia. However, after the immediate ‘passing’
of the constitutional amendments, human and civil rights not only
deteriorated, but repression including unlawful arrests against
politically active citizens continued, followed by similar violations,
this time, against political parties. A vivid illustration of this is
the illegal closure of the Heritage Party’s headquarters. Moreover,
the first Ombudswoman of the Republic of Armenia Larisa Alaverdian
was dismissed for performing her designated duty.”
Prior to discussing her special report, Larisa Alaverdian expressed
dismay that the public had lost the ability to read and comprehend
written texts of political or legal nature. Subsequently, she
briefly presented her 20-page special account on the situation of
human rights in Armenia in the year past. Unfortunately, she was not
allowed to present this report to the National Assembly. “I would
like to call this report also ‘An Infringement Upon the Right of
Effective Legal Protection,’ an entitlement set forth by Article 13
of the European Convention,” Alaverdian noted. With respect to the
large-scale encroachment upon the property rights of the residents
of the Northern Avenue and Biuzand Street in downtown Yerevan,
Mrs. Alaverdian observed that in democratic countries for the sake
of state interests, private assets of people at times are alienated,
but with proper compensation. Yet in this case, compensation was not
only unforthcoming, but people through the courts were forced to sign
purchase agreements and on top be subjected to state and income taxes.
Larisa Alaverdian had made an appeal to President Robert Kocharian
and Prime Minister Andranik Margarian concerning this matter. She had
even addressed a formal letter to the President with respect to the
widespread violation of human rights. Yet, she received a response in
which she was charged of breaching Section 5 of Armenia’s Constitution,
that is for misusing her official power.
The next speaker, Heritage Party’s political secretary Vardan
Khachatrian gave his assessments of the constitutional referendum of
2005. According to him, “As a result of the ruling powers’ methods of
‘passing’ the constitution and ‘establishing’ democracy, the notions
of ‘state,’ ‘constitution,’ and ‘democracy’ have been discredited in
the eyes of the majority of the people who draw a perfect parallel
between the current authorities and the unlawfulness which is reigning
in the country.”
Khachatrian pointed that the way out of this situation is carrying
out a fundamental transformation, but not ruling out the prospect
for a peaceful revolution.
The remainder of the session was devoted to exchanges of views and
policy recommendations among the public figures and policy specialists
in attendance. Also noteworthy were interventions by Raphael Ghazarian
and Vahan Shirkhanian from the Forum of Intellectuals of Armenia; MP
Tatul Manaserian; MP and chairman of the Democratic Path Party Manuk
Gasparian; MP and chairman of the Constitutional Right Union Hrant
Khachatrian; MP and chairman of the National Democrats’ Alliance Arshak
Sadoyan; deputy chairman of the National Unity Party Gagik Tadevosian;
chairman of the Democratic Motherland Party Petros Makeyan; “18+1”
political union observers’ mission chief Vahagn Khachatrian; Republic
Party member Rafik Mkrtchian; deputy chairman of the National Rebirth
Party Armen Mkrtchian; deputy-chairman of the Liberal Progressive
Party Edward Antinian; director of the Heritage Party’s main office
Gevorg Kalenchian; chairman of the Social-Ecological Party Armen
Dovlatian; deputy chairman of the “Victims of State Needs” NGO Sedrak
Baghdasarian; members from National Democratic Union, Alliance,
and Christian Democrat Union of Armenia parties; and many others.
In the ensuing discussion Academician Raphael Ghazarian charged the
opposition leaders for pursuing their personal ambitions instead of
in unity bringing the nation out of this situation.
In Dr. Tatul Manaserian’s opinion the reasons for the current situation
should be searched within ourselves since the public has become very
apathetic as to the future of the country.
Member of Parliament Manuk Gasparian called upon the participants to
work together in getting at least one or two independent television
channels to reopen so that people can come out of the informational
blockade and be informed of the illegalities of the ruling powers and
what is happening in the country. Avetik Ishkhanian of the Helsinki
Committee was in concurrence with Mr. Gasparian and added that the
public’s apathy was due to the suppression of freedom of speech and
that our citizens’ first real defeat came when A1+ and Noyan Tapan
were closed down.
Deputy chairman of the National Unity Party Gagik Tadevosian’s question
as to the validity of the conclusion that the falsification of the
constitutional amendments had resulted in more illegalities by the
government was answered in the affirmative by Mrs. Alaverdian. She
agreed that the ruling administration’s declaration according to which
93 percent had said “Yes” to the new constitution was a disgrace and
that the very same powers were very much aware of this fact.
In his turn, Avetik Ishkhanian stated that in line with confidential
information ascertained from fairly high state echelons, with the
exception of military servicemen, only 7 percent of the eligible voters
had actually cast ballots in the constitutional referendum. Whereas
Vardan Khachatrian added that they had received information on a mere
6.5 percent voter turnout.
In his closing remarks, NCI coordinator Hovsep Khurshudian noted the
fact that Armenia’s social elite underscores ideological discussions
and the search for the roots and solutions for the problems facing the
country. And in the words of Khurshudian, this roundtable is its proof.
The National Citizens’ Initiative is a public non-profit association
founded in December 2001 by Raffi K. Hovannisian, his colleagues,
and fellow citizens with the purpose of realizing the rule of law
and overall improvements in the state of the state, society, and
public institutions.
The National Citizens’ Initiative is guided by a Coordinating
Council, which includes individual citizens and representatives of
various public, scientific, and educational establishments. Five
commissions on Law and State Administration, Socioeconomic Issues,
Foreign Policy, Spiritual and Cultural Challenges, and the Youth
constitute the vehicles for the Initiative’s work and outreach.
For further information, please call (37410) 27-16-00 or 27-00-03;
fax (37410) 52-48-46; email info@nci.am; or visit