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DEMOCRACY ON PAPER

Politics

“Our state does not secure human rights not to mention of freedoms. We do not have freedom of press and freedom of speech is restricted badly», representatives of the opposition parties say.

The oppositionists state that the acting Constitution provides for the standards of human rights and fundamental freedoms. «If 5% of the rights fixed in the Constitution were preserved we would be a prosperous country», head of the Union of Constitutional Right Hrant Khachatryan says. Chairman of the Liberal Progressive Party of Armenia Hovhannes Hovhanissyan adheres to the same opinion. «We can say that we have democracy on paper. But the Constitution and laws should be implemented properly, what doesn't happen», he said.

Proceeding from this situation the oppositionists conclude that it is not time to carry out constitutional reforms.

«A new Constitution can come into force if the society arrives at political and public consensus», Hovhannes Hovhanissyan says.

The UCR and LPPA leaders are convinced that the RA Constitution should be reformed but not to date. «Authorities do not abide by the Constitution, neither does the juridical system. Instead of extending the rights of the citizens they are trying to extend the President's authority», former chairman of the permanent commission for foreign affairs Hovhannes Hovhanissyan says. In his opinion, the Council of Europe will understand that Armenia does not feel like conducting any referendums at present.

Lena Badeyan