Ombudsman will not appeal to CC
Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan was introduced today to the report by members of the Fact-Finding Group leading an investigation into the events of March 1-2. "To be honest, I don't know what we are going to do, but I do know that the National Assembly's committee on state-legal issues is officially involved in the issue and it would be right for them to study the report as well," said Armen Harutyunyan.
In their latest report, the members of the Fact-Finding Group have touched upon the army's participation in the events of March 1-2 and have presented numerous facts. "It is rather convincing and the corresponding state bodies must examine it, but this is not enough for me to say whether it is convincing or not," said the Ombudsman.
After reading the report, Armen Harutyunyan still didn't change his views on Robert Kocharyan declaring a state of emergency in March 2008.
The Armenian National Congress yesterday appealed to the Ombudsman with the demand to dispute the constitutionality of Kocharyan's decree at the Constitutional Court.
"We have already responded. They can appeal many times. We have studied and found that there is no issue of anti-constitutionality there."
The Ombudsman also touched upon the government's proposed reforms in the law on "Television and Radio". "The Minister of Economy has promised to convene a round-table on June 3 and interpret all proposals made during our discussion yesterday."
Will "A1+" come back on air as a result of digitalization of television stations? Armen Harutyunyan had a hard time answering that question: "I am not a fortune teller. I want "A1+" to come back on air because I believe it is one of the most professional television stations out there."
Harutyunyan also touched upon the 2-year sentencing of former teacher of N11 special school of Nubarashen Levon Avagyan who is charged with raping a child. "Corresponding bodies must draw conclusions and give strict sentencing.
The RA Ombudsman had held a press conference today to release his special report on "Rights to peaceful rallies" in Armenia. According to him, the law goes against Article 43 of the RA Constitution and the flaws in the law are against the organizers and participants of peaceful rallies. Armen Harutyunyan not only mentioned the flaws, but informed that a draft of changes is under preparation and will be released soon.
The Ombudsman's next special report will be on freedom of speech.
