LONG EXPECTED HEARINGS IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Yerkir, Armenia
Nov 6 2006
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Defense, National
Security and Internal Affairs held a working discussion aimed at
informing the parliament on the measures taken by the law enforcement
agencies in fighting crime.
The discussion was proposed by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Party. Chairman of the Committee Aramayis Grigorian noted that the
reason for having the discussion are the recent cases of murder
that were viewed as an expression of intensification of the criminal
situation that has caused concerns among the society.
Representatives from the police, the national security service,
Ministry of Justice as well as NGOs participated in the discussion.
Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Ararat Mahtessian noted that some
political leaders and media outlets are increasingly using the terms
‘criminal’ and ‘criminalization’ referring to the existing situation
in Armenia.
"These statements have nothing to do with the criminal statistics
and the efficiency of the fight against crime. The law enforcement
bodies will welcome any initiatives coming from the government or the
society aimed at fighting crime but we cannot accept any approaches
that are trying to devalue the work of thousands of people committed
to their job," Mahtessian stated adding that the dynamics of crime
indicators have remained stable in the past 6 years and in the past
3 years it has decreased.
Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly Vahan Hovhannissian noted
in his statement that the government’s efforts yield no results in
a country where the law enforcement bodies cannot work efficiently
because no matter how many socially oriented programs the government
implements the level of the population’s vulnerability starts at the
point where the population should be protected by the police.
Other security systems are not that visible for the population,
Hovhannissian stated noting that merely listening to the report
presented by the police is not sufficient since the police is only one
circle in the longer chain. Institutions responsible for preventive
measures are a part of that chain too, Hovhannissian believes.
Meanwhile, these institutions are either non-existent or are
in a miserable condition. "It is surprising that there are no
representatives of the Prosecutor’s Office here because the work the
police does sometimes loses its meaning because of the Prosecutor’s
Office. Then comes the court, the penitentiary system which is also
in a very poor condition.
We will find ourselves in a very awkward position if we fail to
ensure the smooth cooperation between the circles of this chain,"
Hovhannissian noted pointing out that it is strange that a judge
receives a high salary while a police officer receives a salary that
is several times lower. "A high salary is one of the anti-corruption
measures but we also have to think about the police officers and
those working in the security sector. We, as the parliament, should
be more active in these spheres," Hovhannissian said.
Head of ARF’s parliamentary faction Hrayr Karapetian noted that there
was public demand for such a discussion. "Today the opposition has
started an anti-criminal movement. We do not think it is a movement
as such. Movements should not start right before the elections and
end right after them.
Fighting crime is a perpetual process and today’s discussion is one of
such processes. The relations between the NA Standing Committee and the
law enforcement bodies should be reviewed. This cooperation should not
be limited only to adopting laws, presenting drafts, defending them and
voting. There are many problems today and the Committee is ready to do
its best during the discussions of the draft budget," Karapetian said.
NA deputies Hrant Khachatrian and Gagik Kostanian also presented their
positions on the issue. Mahtessian concluded the discussion noting
that a number of positive changes are expected after the upcoming
legislative reform that would help the law enforcement bodies
better fight crime. Chairman of the Committee Aramayis Grigorian
noted that the Committee should not limit its activities to working
discussions. Once the results of the discussion are analyzed practical
measures will be taken and broader discussions will be held with
participation of representatives of all public and judicial structures.