Won’t next ombudsman fear for his family?
To properly perform his duties the ombudsman should feel free and protected, according to Manvel Sargsyan, an expert of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS).
"Let us recall the behavior of former Ombudsman [Armen Harutyunyan] who was worried about the safety of his family," said Sargsyan.
According to the ACNIS expert, in countries like Armenia, the ombudsman must either obey the authorities or resign office.
Sargsyan thinks that the public pins hopes on the Ombudsman but do not fully trust him.
Sargsyan refrained from speaking about Karen Andreasyan, the most likely candidate for the post of ombudsman, and said he was not familiar with his work.
Political scientist Suren Surenyants thinks that the parliamentary opposition should be given the privilege to nominate human rights defender in Armenia.
Speaking about Karen Andreasyan, Surenyants said that his candidacy had been approved by the presidential administration.
"If so, the role of the Ombudsman's Office will decrease in the country," said the political scientist adding that the ombudsman should enjoy esteem and respect not only in Armenia but also outside its boundaries.
