THE PROGRESS REPORT OF AGO’s GROUP
Anna Israelian
Strasbourg
Aravot.am
13 July 06
The CE representatives of ministers discussed the report of monitoring
group on commitments of Armenia yesterday.
The head of the group Roland Vegener made an oral report about his
visit to Armenia from 9 to10 of June on 21 of June, and yesterday
his written report was accepted.
It is mentioned in this seventh progress report that the authorities
of Armenia have designed a Â"pretensionÂ" project of legislative
reforms: more than 67 amendments must be adopted in two years. And
it is underlined that this legislative activities must be made in
Armenia first "democratic reforms by documents" then it must be in
use practically.
The monitoring committee of the CE committee of Ministers expresses
its regret that the Parliament pf Armenia has adopted 5 laws connected
with commitments to the CE: "About Constitutional Court", "Criminal
Code", laws about police, advocates and "About defender of human
rights" without sending them to the expertise of the commission of
Venice beforehand.
It is also mentioned that the NA chairman has promised to send these
laws as soon as it is possible and make amendments according to the
experts’ proposals.
Another section of the report refers to the amendments of "electoral
Code".
And it is underlined here that these amendments are important for
holding free and democratic elections.
The delegation has underlined that the "Electoral Code" must be
reformed corresponding to the conclusion of the commission of Venice
produced on 15 of June. It is also mentioned that the group of the
CE Ministers’ committee will follow thoroughly. And it is mentioned
beforehand that free and fair elections not only suppose the work
of commissions but also free and balanced elucidation of activities
of political parties and candidates in particularly by media and the
respect for the freedom of meetings.
Another section refers to the reform of court system. It is mentioned
here, that irrespective of everything those representatives of public
organizations whom the delegation has met in Yerevan criticize the
independence of courts.
Another section refers to the Defender of Human Rights. There is an
allusion to the decision of the Constitutional Court about alienation
of property of the inhabitants of Kentron in the context that the CC
decisions aren’t come true.
The report about Armenia is over by Â"Freedom of the press and
various thoughts". The necessity to change the law "About TV
and Radio" is mentioned here according to the constitutional
amendments. The group considers important not only to provide for
the NCTR security but the independence of the Council of Public TV
and Radio Company and " to determine more distance between these
bodies and the authority". According to Roland Vegener’s group,
beside legislative reforms, steps must be taken to provide for
everyday freedom and independence of the press and public TV and
Radio Company in particular. "The delegation listened to a lot of
complaints from the representatives of political parties and public
organizations about the lack of independence of the Electronic
media." It is mentioned that the authorities of Armenia argue these
affirmations and offer the CE to hold a monitoring for finding out
the balance of representation of political powers. It is known that
Robert Kocharian has made that proposal. The position of the group is
that the monitoring must be held very quickly for taking appropriate
steps before the parliamentary campaign in 2007.
–Boundary_(ID_f9rmuB04YZxDrynNmxtC5g)–