“If you are few, it doesn’t mean that you are right” (video)
Today at the 6th convention NA before the speech of Hrayr Tovmasyan, who has been nominated for the post of the Chairman of the Standing Committee on State-legal and Human Rights Defense Affairs by the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), the NA Vice Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov announced that the U.S. Texas state recognized the Armenian Genocide, which was significant after the recent well-known events in Washington. The hall started applauding. Hrayr Tovmasyan noted in his speech that following the speeches of the candidates nominated for the posts of chairmen of the standing committees, he understood that he is the only one, who doesn’t have experience of lawmaker, that’s why his speech will be a little bit different. That’s why he announced that he would speak short, as he is well aware of the sphere and is ready to work on projects from morning till night, “Each opinion will be listened and discussed.” Dashnak lawmaker Armenuhi Kyureghyan addressed him a question, noting whether it isn’t time to hold next elections not according to regional, but nationwide rating system or totally get rid of that system. In reply to the question, Hrayr Tovmasyan noted that those questions shouldn’t be addressed him, as the Chairman of the Committee has no right to legislative initiative, “And as a lawmaker I can say that me and my colleagues are the authors of that system, and I don’t share your approaches, as thanks to this system, mandates were distributed proportionately.” Armenuhi Kyureghyan noted that the words were changed, but in reality they remind of the majoritarian system, “By changing the form, the contents weren’t changed.” Hrayr Tovmasyan opposed, saying that maybe they remind of the majoritarian system, but they aren’t the same. “You are very active, Mr Tovmasyan,” joked the NA Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov. Republican lawmaker Margarit Yesayan, before formulating her question, announced that she has no doubts that Hrayr Tovmasyan will be elected Chairman of the standing committee, “Yesterday the dissolution of the Standing Committee on Human Rights Affairs was much discussed, and I intentionally didn’t touch upon it, as I held a responsible position in the Committee. The Committee was rather active and I regret to say that it was dissolved, unlike many committees, which haven’t discussed any questions, but will continue operating. I can only ask you not to subordinate human rights affairs to state-legal affairs.” Hrayr Tovmasyan assured her that no committee is subordinated, when committees are united. Artak Zeynalyan, lawmaker from Yelk alliance, noted that if Republicans are majority in the NA, it doesn’t mean that they are right. He also reminded that systemic bribes are rooted especially in the education field and asked how Hrayr Tovmasyan is going to fight against it. First Hrayr Tovmasyan answered the second question, saying that in this issue the political, legal culture of the society is very important, “As for the first observation, the fact that if you are few in the NA, doesn’t mean that you are right. It means both the majority and the minority can be right.”
