1. Freedom of Information

Statement of Freedom of Information Civic Initiative

19.02.04

Freedom of Information Civic Initiative on behalf of three Armenian NGOs has
disseminated the following Statement:

In February 12 the Armenian Government has approved a draft Law developed and
produced by the Ministry of Justice. This draft Law changes essentially the
recently adopted Law on Freedom of Information, recognized by various
international organizations as one of the best Laws on Freedom of Information in
the world as well as one of the best laws adopted in Armenia in 2003. Indeed,
the acting Law gives everyone the opportunity to receive the needed information
from any state body without obstacles and groundless financial expenses.

The Draft Law deprives people of real opportunity to receive information. It
endangers all present anti-corruption initiatives and does not give opportunity
to the state bodies to operate transparently and to be open and accessible for
the general public. Moreover, withdrawal of the Acting Law approved by the
Government, the National Assembly, and the President just three months ago is
discrediting all those bodies and the state itself. The legislative initiative
of the Ministry of Justice may damage the public’s confidence in the authorities
as well as the image of the state outside the country.

Hence, we request withdrawal of the draft Amendments to the Law on Freedom of
Information and we require the implementation of the Acting Law with great
positive potential. We strongly believe that implementation of the Acting Law
will become an outstanding achievement of already declared political will of the
authorities of Armenia.


http://new.csi.am/eng/index1.php?goto=guest&id=31



2. Ombudsman institution

a. President Kocharian Appoints Ombudsman

19.02.04

Following the RA Law on Human Rights Protection, Armenian President Kocharian
has appointed Larisa Alaverdian as ombudsman. RA President’s press service
reports that in this regard, RA President’s decision dated Apr. 27, 2003 on the
establishment of human rights’ commission at the RA President, shall be regarded
as invalid.

According to RA Law on Human Rights Protection, ombudsman shall be appointed by
RA President upon the advice and approval of National Assembly members. In this
regard, Jan 30, 2004 President offered the candidature of Larisa Alaverdian
(director of Against legal Violence Foundation). The government-forming
coalition parties approved the candidature; the opposition parties did not
participate in the discussion of the candidature, because of boycott. M.S.


http://new.csi.am/eng/index1.php?goto=news&id=1532



b. Round-table on Ombudsman Institution

17.02.04

In the framework of its Civil Society Program, the OSIAF-Armenia supported
organization of a round-table discussion on Ombudsman institution and its
mission by the "Arena of Education" NGO. The roundtable was held in Gyumri, on
February 17, 2004 under the ongoing "Legal Wave" project of the NGO. The event
incorporated presentations by the field experts and discussions by senior-grade
school students, field experts, local non-governmental sector and media
representatives.


http://new.csi.am/eng/index1.php?goto=news&id=1534



3. Women rights. Trafficking issues

Trafficking In Armenia and the Struggle against It

18.02.2004

Trafficking as an evil is spread all over the world. Armenia is not an
exception. What shape does it take, does it really exist and what are the steps
to be taken to tackle it? Below you will find interviews with government
officials and victims of trafficking.

Prime Minister of Armenia Andranik Markaryan: “The phenomenon of trafficking
does exist. In fact, it exists in every country and corresponds to the level of
social welfare of the given country. It is two years that the Women’s Council
within the office of the Prime Minister has been established. It is aimed at
research and development of projects concerning trafficking issues. Although the
scale of the problem is not large in our country, it really exists and is
becoming obvious. We shouldn’t ignore it and say that there is no need to take
steps to address trafficking. I would like to point out that the government’s
Strategic Program of National Development for 2003-2015 includes studies on
gender and trafficking issues. So great attention is paid to the phenomenon and
it is certainly under control”.

On October 14, 2002 the Prime Minister of Armenia passed resolution #591-A
establishing an Inter-Departmental Committee aimed at tackling of trafficking in
Armenia. The Committee included representatives of all the ministries and
departments concerned with trafficking issues. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MFA) is responsible for coordinating the Committee’s activities. Valeri
Mkrtumyan, Head of International Organizations Department in the MFA, says, “As
a phenomenon, trafficking exists not just in Armenia and this region, but in all
countries in transition. Trafficking is an evil and we have been fighting
against it and will apply all possible means to continue fighting against it.
Unfortunately, there has been no research that would help us deal with the
problem, and I can hardly quote any data or any exact figures. One of our goals
is to estimate the scope of trafficking in Armenia. In this respect, we only
have progress in one direction. At least we know to which countries Armenian
women are trafficked. They are Turkey, United Arabian Emirates and, to some
extent, Greece and Holland… Presently the Committee is cooperating with all
concerned agencies in those countries and in Armenia in creating a joint working
group that will visit the countries where, according to our data, the
trafficking phenomenon exists. The group will be conducting studies and will
introduce the results to the Government.

On the opinion of the Minister of Justice of Armenia, Mr. David Harutunyan, “the
trafficking as a phenomenon does not exist. Perhaps there are separate cases but
as a phenomenon, I think it does not exist. The criminal cases under prosecution
are not sufficient ground to maintain that trafficking exists and has become a
social phenomenon. There are some cases of trafficking. The perpetrators must be
punished but it is too early to speak about it as a phenomenon. The US State
Department has included Armenia in the list of countries where trafficking
exists, based on publications in mass media. I think that trafficking as a
phenomenon does not exist in Armenia.”

On the opinion of the Chairmen of the Permanent Parliamentary Commission on
Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs, Mr. Mher Shahgeldyan,
“unfortunately, trafficking in Armenia exists and there are facts indicating
this. There are also data indicating that underage homeless children are
involved and are used in these activities. I have no facts about the trade in
human organs. Now we pay serious attention to the problem of adopted children,
we check the families that adopt the children and keep track of them while they
grow up. We cannot declare today that such things do not exist, that women do
not go abroad for prostitution, sometimes as a result of fraud. The problem
seems to be rather serious where the Arabic Emirates and Turkey are concerned.”


By Marieta Makaryan


http://new.csi.am/eng/index1.php?goto=news&id=1531



4. Anticorruption Initiatives

Armenian NGOs establish Anticorruption Union

20.02.2004

8 social organizations have today announced for establishing a Union of the NGOs
“Against Corruption”. Those organizations are “Achilles” Centre for Protection
of Drivers’ Rights, “Asklepi” Centre for Health Care, social organizations
“Mother of a Soldier”, “Anti-Shade”, “Femida”, “Tradesmen of Armenia”, “Union
for Protection of the Consumers’ Rights” and “Civil Society Institute”.


http://new.csi.am/eng/index1.php?goto=news&id=1536