OMBUDSMAN GIVES POSITIVE ASSESSMEMT OF PARLIAMENTARY HEARINGS

NOYAN TAPAN

Ju ne 6, 2008

YEREVAN, JUNE 6, NOYAN TAPAN. The June 5 parliamentary hearings
on the RA Ombudsman’s special report on the presidential election
and postelection developments in Armenia started with accusations
but ended in a constructive discussion, the RA Ombudsman Armen
Harutyunian said during a talk with reporters on June 6. In his
words, these were hearings appropriate to a representative body,
as each of those present had the opportunity to express an opinion
or wish without restriction. He noted that such sincere discussions
at the National Assembly may create a new element in the country’s
political culture, and if this practice continues, the authority of
the parliement will increase.

A. Harutyunian expressed a hope that henceforth constructive
discussions on the issues raised in his report will be held. According
to him, the society is concerned about these issues, and the ombudsman
has only officialized them. "Even if most of the report’s questions
are wrong, and only a few of them are normal, it would be correct to
answer these questions," he noted.

He expressed confidence that these questions will finally receive
their answers: "I see no other version, these are issues related
to the future of our society". In his opinion, given in any form,
official answers will help reduce the current tension in the society.

A. Harutyunian announced that none of relatives of the citizens
who died on March 1 has applied to the Ombudsman on the issue of
recognizing them a legal successor of the victim. He said that very
often people are afraid of officializing their complaints, for this
reason the law allows the Ombudsman to accept verbal complaints and
use unofficial information.