OMBUDSMAN’S ANALYSIS NOT REFLECT ACTUAL ACTIVITY OF COURTS IN ARMENIA

Arka News Agency, Armenia
April 6 2007

YEREVAN, April 6. /ARKA/. The simple analysis of statistical
information, submitted by the Armenian Ombudsman, does not reflect the
actual activity of courts, the message of the Court of Cassation says
in connection with statements made yesterday at a press conference
of Armenian Ombudsman Armen Harutunyan.

"It is necessary to always take into account that courts administer
justice by means of investigation in court, implying presence of at
least two interested parties and collision of opposite interests.

Under such conditions, a court decision that resolves a dispute in
favor of one of the parties naturally evokes discontent of another
party," the message says.

Unlike other public authorities, there is always a discontent and
dissatisfied party at courts, and as a rule, the voice of this party
only reaches the public.

"For this reason, a simple statistical analysis of statements of the
persons, discontent with courts, does not represent a value in terms
of the content.

According to the statement of the Court of Cassation, courts have
never been against effective cooperation with public authorities or
public association.

"However, this cooperation may concern spheres that are outside the
frames of justice functions, and courts are known not to have specific
functions in other spheres," the statement says.

"Courts are ready to cooperate and do cooperate with different public
and non-governmental authorities. However, the courts demand observance
of the principle of independence of the judicial authority. We
pointed out with satisfaction that the profound realization of this
principle is reflected in the annual report of the Ombudsman," the
statement says.

Armenian Ombudsman Armen Harutunyan reported yesterday, in 2006
Armenian citizens complained most about the country’s judicial system
from the viewpoint of human rights protection.

He reported that the Ombudsman office received the population’s
complaints about almost all public authorities of the country, the
judicial system being the first for the number of complaints.