Ombudsman: The offended party can exercise his civil right and go to court (video)
The bid submitted to the Public Services Regulatory Commission by five companies that seek to increase electricity tariffs for Armenian consumers is not in violation with human rights, says Armenian Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan. “A person may not have any income, but he has to pay for the electricity he has consumed. This is not a violation of human rights,” he said adding that a state has a responsibility before its citizens and is obliged to increase pensions and benefits. “Starting from the day when Armenia proclaimed independence, the social rights of our citizens have been violated every now and then. People cannot meet their minimum needs,” he continued. Speaking about Serzh Sargsyan’s speech at the sitting of HHK's political council on February 12 when Sargsyan said ‘I forbade anyone to address Gagik Tsarukyan by his nickname "Dodi Gago,’ Karen Andreasyan said, “The European Court of Human Rights says the extent and nature of an offence is determined by public perception.” Since the expression made by Serzh Sargsyan was an offensive nickname, rather than a compliment for Gagik Tsarukyan, the person who publically used it should bear responsibility for his words. “The offended party can exercise his civil right and go to court and claim compensation for the insult. You do not have a right to feel offended for someone else,” Mr Andreasyan added.
