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OSCE AND COE ROUND TABLE ON THE FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY LEGISLATION IN ARMENIA

Official

Today in Yerevan, the freedom of assembly in Armenia has been the focus of a roundtable co-sponsored by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the OSCE Office in Yerevan and the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe. The OSCE ODIHR and the Venice Commission presented recommendations on draft amendments to the Armenian Law on Conducting Gatherings, Meetings, Rallies and Demonstrations which had been adopted in the first reading at an extraordinary session of the Armenian National Assembly.

The ODIHR and the Venice Commission have been engaged in consultations with Armenian authorities and civil society on the legislation since March 2004. “The process whereby laws are drafted and adopted is as important as their content. A good law requires prior broad consultations reaching out to stakeholders”, said the ODIHR Director, Ambassador Christian Strohal, in his opening remarks.

Mr. Buquicchio, Secretary of the Venice Commission, added: “A democratic approach to the right to freedom of assembly must be developed and supported with the participation of all in the Armenian society”.

In their comments ODIHR and Venice Commission experts noted significant improvements in the text of the amendments. However, the experts noted a number of remaining concerns, particularly regarding proscribed locations and spontaneous assemblies.

The ODIHR and Venice Commission experts, as well as most participants in the roundtable suggested that Armenian authorities ensure monitoring of the application of the law.

The roundtable gathered experts, government officials, parliamentarians, members of political parties, civil society representatives and diplomats. It is a part of a wide-ranging co-operation between the Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR on legislative reviews and support in a number of countries. The OSCE Office in Yerevan joined in organizing the event.