KEY CONCERNS IN THE FIELD OF COMPETENCIES

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Tomas Hammarberger visited Armenia on July 13 to familiarize himself with the parliamentary investigations of March 1-2 developments.
Yesterday morning he had meetings in the National Assembly with the members and representatives of the Temporary Committee.
In response to our questions Chairman of NA Temporary Committee, Secretary of RPA faction Samvel Nikoyan gives the details of the meetings.

“We have given the details of the Committee’s activity, beginning from the mechanisms of the formation up to the principles. I have also introduced the facts; in particular I told the commissioner that we have appealed to Levon Ter-Petrosyan, proposing him to have personal participation, or to send his representative to partake in the works of the committee. In response he announce during his demonstration that he is ready to send someone who has psychological problems. I also informed the commissioner that despite this disrespectful attitude the committee remained in the field of positive emotions. We again appealed to Levon Ter-Petrosyan, to send an expert to maintain balance in the committee, in the level of an expert. But unfortunately there was no response. I also introduced the work we have implemented together with “Heritage” party: what we did for them to participate in the works of the committee, the principles and the directions adopted by the committee, the framework of the issues, with which we appeal to the state bodies and demand the copies of the corresponding documents, the whole information that can help reveal the truth.
I also told him that we have separated the events that took place before March 1 from the ones that took place on March 1-2, which is aimed at ensuring comprehensive investigation and having a balanced picture. By the way we appealed to Levon Ter-Petrosyan with this issue as well. And of course we didn’t get any response.
We have also provided the publicity of the committee’s activity. We invite journalists, representatives from OSCE, and the US Embassy to participate in our sessions, anyone whose participation can promote complete investigation of the case.”
“Which is by the way a manifestation of good will, because according to NA decision the Committee doesn’t have to do so.”
“Yes. PACE resolution 1620 runs that the Committee must work by that principle. We have adopted that principle much earlier, than PACE would pass that resolution and it is very good that the same principles are enshrined in PACE recommendations. We attach great importance to the participation of the Human Rights Defender in the works of the committee and to giving us all the documents, materials and tapes that he possesses. He should give us all the materials and participate in the formulation of the questions that we give to the state bodies.”
“What was the response of the commissioner?”
“He introduced his standpoints regarding the competencies of the committee. What competencies does the committee have, what rights, what can we do.
In essence there are two key issues: will it work or not and how will it work – comprehensively, balanced, impartial or not.
After introducing the forms and methods of our work I think it is senseless to speak about partiality and their concerns remained in the field of competencies.
In general the meeting was rather meaningful. Moreover because the commissioner brought an expert with him and because he had lots of things to say he offered to have another meeting tomorrow. Which testifies to the fact that our meeting was productive.
His proposal to meet again and discuss the conditions of the overloaded schedule, in my view shows the importance that he attaches to the works of the committee.
LILIT POGHOSYAN

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