The draft resolution on honoring commitments of Armenia, the authors of which are George Colombie and Miko Ello, will be discussed at PACE sitting on 23 January.
Tigran Torosian, the NA chairman, the head of Armenian delegation in PACE has already estimated that that resolution “with its positive emphasis is unprecedented for Armenia. The importance of Constitutional amendments is recorded, which, according to the draft resolution, gave Armenia an opportunity to have Constitution corresponding to European all standards. The assembly attaches particular importance to the steps, which have been taken before; removal of administrative arrest, citizens’ opportunity to turn to the Constitutional Court. At the same time the elections in 2007 are also considered important. And as a summarizing item, they record that constitutional amendments have given a complete opportunity for Armenia to implement honoring commitments and obligations and all those issues, which are mentioned in that resolution within the framework of commitments. It is said that honoring the rest of commitments and the possibility of holding the coming parliamentary elections by European standards will allow to speak of stopping the monitoring.”
Indeed, there are a lot of positive notions in this draft resolution. But. There is no positive remark without some exceptions. For example, welcoming the end of process of constitutional amendments, it is also recorded in the resolution: “At the same time, the Assembly deplores the irregularities which tainted the conduct of the referendum and the failure to sanction the cases of fraud noted, which marred the credibility of the official results.”
In the field of democracy and pluralism the Assembly welcomes the constitutional amendments, which have improved the separation of, and balance between, the legislative, executive and judicial powers. But it is also noted; “The Assembly nonetheless points out that effective implementation of the new system of government requires an improvement in the political climate and the institution of dialogue between the ruling coalition and the opposition.
The reporters, stressing that the PACE gives a special importance to the coming elections, have also noted: “It is disappointed that since Armenia’s accession to the Council of Europe in 2001 not a single election held there has been deemed fully free and fair.”
The Assembly, according to the draft resolution, notes “with satisfaction”, that the amendments to the “Electoral Code” adopted in May 2005, improved the legal framework for elections. But then an exception is noted that electoral administration and appeals process still require a further revision of the legislation. And then it is underlined that democratic elections can be guaranteed only if it is implemented in good faith and if the political will exists at the highest level. According to the draft resolution, a clear message must be conveyed that in the next elections fraud will simply not be tolerated.
The Assembly deplores the fact that allegations of ill treatment and of extortion by the police and the National Security Service are still being made. It is also mentioned that the reason of limited number of complaints is the atmosphere of fear and impunity. It is also noted the importance of problems of corruption in Armenia and existence of international organized crime. These include the courts, the police, the customs service, the tax inspectorate, the education and health sectors etc.
In the sphere of human rights of the draft resolution is noted: “A few months away from the forthcoming parliamentary elections, the Assembly attaches special importance to pluralism of the electronic media, since equitable access to the electronic media by all political parties is an absolute prerequisite for the holding of free and fair elections”.
In view of the forthcoming elections it is also important the implementation of right of freedom on organizing meetings. It is noted on this occasion: “Arbitrary arrests and excessive use of force by the police must no longer be tolerated and those responsible must be sanctioned”.
The draft resolution is over by a traditional hope that Armenia will demonstrate its capacity to hold parliamentary elections in 2007 and the presidential elections in 2008 in accordance with international standards for free and fair elections, not least with regard to pluralist, impartial media coverage of the election campaign.