‘UNTIL WE ELIMINATE OLIGARCH SYSTEM, IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO DISCUSS OTHER ISSUES’: ARMENIA’S OMBUDSMAN
Tert.am
14:52 ~U 25.12.09
Armenia’s chief human rights defender, ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan,
today presented a special report titled "Guaranteeing the Right to
a Fair Trial in the Republic of Armenia."
The first part of the report, which is comprised of two parts,
refers to competition and equality between parties as a component
of the right to a fair trial, and their implementation during court
trial cases. The second part, on the other hand, relates to issues
of guaranteeing a fair trial in property and ownership cases.
"Violations of the right to a fair trial in court practice in the
Republic of Armenia are often due to the fact that Armenia’s courts
continue to bear the burden of the influence of public prosecution
systems," noted Harutyunyan.
According to the ombudsman, the research they undertook resulted in an
"upsetting" conclusion: even though Armenia, along with the rest of
the world, speaks of ethics and justice, the principle "the weak is
always guilty before the strong" is in effect in Armenia’s courtrooms.
Speaking of property and ownership, Harutyunyan emphasized that, in
essence, "these rights are similarly not protected." In this context,
he spoke of the re-establishment of two, rational and irrational, paths
in justice, and he appealed to the country’s political elite to use all
of their efforts to get the judicial system on the rational path. "The
average citizen doesn’t trust our court system," noted the ombudsman.
Reports on such topics as freedom of speech, special assemblies,
organizing mass rallies, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities
are currently being prepared.
According to Harutyunyan, serious changes are necessary from the
standpoint of political and economic systems. "Until we eliminate the
oligarch system, it will be difficult to discuss the other issues,"
concluded the ombudsman.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
