ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT CONSIDERS AMENDMENTS TO LAW ABOUT RALLIES

ARKA
May 20, 2008

YEREVAN, May 20. /ARKA/. Armenian Parliament gave its first reading to
the amendments to the country’s law about rallies and demonstrations.

Under the document clarifications are made to the list of reasons
for the Municipality to turn down an application for holding a mass
gathering, said Armenian Parliament Speaker Tigran Torosian.

A new definition – spontaneous mass gatherings where the public can
voice its opinion – is introduced under the draft law. Strict time
limits are set for spontaneous mass gatherings: they cannot last
longer than six hours, the Speaker said.

The document also provides for a procedure to appeal against the
municipality decision to refuse a rally application; the complaints
should be considered within a day.

The Speaker stressed the importance of the fact that international
experts provided a positive conclusion on the draft law.