ARMENIA’S DELEGATION CALLS COUNCIL OF EUROPE FOR NOT IGNORING FORTHCOMING PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN NKR IN SUMMER
Noyan Tapan
Feb 2, 2010
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2, NOYAN TAPAN. One of the most important issues
discussed within the framework of PACE was the report on corruption
in the judicial system, and Armenia’s delegation shares its main
questions. David Haroutiunian, the head of Armenia’s delegation in
PACE, the Chairman of the NA Committee on State and Legal Issues,
mentioned at a February 1 press conference. The report, in particular,
mentioned that some countries replace fighting corruption by adoption
of better laws or beautiful speeches and not practical steps. D.
Haroutiunian also said that the Assembly has instructed the Monitoring
Committee for the latter to give a separate department to corruption in
the judicial system and efficiency of fighting it, current mechanisms
in the countries’ reports on the latter.
Naira Zohrabian, a member of Armenia’s delegation in PACE, the
Chairwoman of the NA Standing Committee on European Integration
Affairs, a member of the Bargavach Hayastan (Prosperous Armenia)
faction, attached importance to the reports under the title Respect
for Media Freedom and On Ownership Right of Displaced Persons. An
Azeri delegate attached a special opinion about the latter, according
to N. Zohrabian’s characterization, by misrepresenting the facts.
Armenia’s delegation responded to it emphasizing that the considerable
part of displaced Azeris received a compensation from Armenia’s
government, while Armenians displaced from Azerbaijan "just ran away as
a result of the slaughter committed by Azeris leaving their property"
and have received no compensation so far. N. Zohrabian also said
that Armenia’s delegation provided to PACE a 40-minute film under
the title The Vandals of the 21st Century, which shows how Azeri
servicemen destroy cross-stones on Jugha’s Armenian cemeteries.
During the presentation of the two reports on the electoral system
Armenia’s delegation spoke about the seven state elections held in NKR,
which have always proceeded in line with the international standards
and called the Council of Europe for not ignorng the forthcoming
parliamentary elections to be held in summer in NKR.