THE OMBUDSMAN REALIZED HIS UNIQUENESS

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[07:52 pm] 13 April, 2006

Today the Parliament Deputies discussed the “annual review of the
Human Rights Protector referring the violation of human rights and
the RA Human Rights Protector’s activity during in the year 2005.” It
was presented by the Human Rights second Protector Armen Haroutyunyan.

His review didn’t relate to the protection of human rights in
the previous year but it was merely a lecture on the human rights
institute. Armen Haroutyunyan brought certain data, “The Protector
got about 1551 written complaints and the number of applicants reached
1842. Such difference is the result of group complaints existence. 533
complaints were discussed, 188 applicants were given an opportunity
to protect his rights, 159 complaints were given to other bodies for
further discussion and 77 are still being considered.”

Only 10 NA deputies listened to Armen Haroutyunyan’s speech. Only
Victor Dallakian from the Opposition was present. Later Hrant
Khacahtryan and Aram Sargsyan joined him.

After the Ombudsman’s speech the first Ombudsman Larisa Alaverdyan
entered the hall. She was given only 7 minutes to make her
speech. First of all Larisa Alaverdyan mentioned that her presence
in the discussion does not give ground to legalize the illegal
procedure. Then she thanked Armen Haroutyunyanan for “bringing
statistic data and not making his speech materialized” as the review
was to be presented by her – the Ombudsman of 2005. She also added
that next week she is going to present her report to people and
invited the Deputies to participate in the discussion.

She focused on the spheres where human rights are greatly breached;
the economic, speech freedom and official spheres. “The authorities
seek an appropriate moment to violate human rights,” she said. The
rights of the poor are violated from economical point of view. Larisa
Alaverdyan couldn’t be asked questions according to the law – agenda.

By the way, before being appointed the Human Rights Protector Armen
Haroutyunyanan called the Protector an “Ombudsmen” whereas today he
used the word “Ombudsman.” The difference comes from English where
“men” is the plural and “man” – singular. Thus, Armen Haroutyunyanan
realized his uniqueness.