Continue the dialogue with the opposition

 The OSCE 1827 resolution urges the Armenian government.

 On June 24 as it was already informed the OSCE has passed “the Progress of the Assembly’s Monitoring Procedure (June 2010-May 2011)” Resolution 1827. Head of the OSCE Monitoring Committee Dick Marty (see the photo) is the author of this document that refers to 10 countries that are under consideration and 4 countries that are under post-consideration dialogue. In this publication, we have pointed out the paragraphs of the resolution that refer to Armenia. Paragraph 12 of the Resolution reads about Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, “Some important opposition forces remain outside parliament and no political dialogue with the extra-parliamentary opposition has been initiated.” The same paragraph reads that in Georgia, the efforts made by the authorities have resulted in the establishment of the dialogue between the government and a significant part of the opposition. Meanwhile Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova are mentioned as countries where the inability of the main political parties to reach a consensus triggered a serious, political crisis. However, in paragraph 18.2.2 of the Resolution the authorities of Armenia and Georgia are urged “to continue the political dialogue with the opposition”.

Paragraph 15 of Resolution 1827 reads, “Parliamentary oversight over the activities of the executive and the strengthening of the capacity of parliament are still needed in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, the Russian Federation, Serbia and Ukraine.”

In terms of elections and diversity of political views, Paragraph 18.1.2 of the Assembly Resolution urges “the Parliament of Armenia to pursue the process aimed at the implementation of comprehensive electoral reform, with a view to ensuring fair and equal conditions for all candidates and increasing public confidence in the electoral process, including the appeals and complaints procedure, in time for the May 2012 elections.”

Paragraph 18.3.2 of the resolution reads that the parliaments of Armenia and Georgia must pursue “carrying out the constitutional changes”. By the way, in paragraph 18.3.1, the Parliaments of Azerbaijan, the Russian Federation and Ukraine are urged “to review their constitution with a view to strengthening the role of the parliamentary oversight over the activities of the executive.”

During the discussion of this resolution at the OSCE, German delegate Marina Schuster stated concerning Azerbaijan in her speech that the proposals of the Venice Commission were not carried out and the election last November was not held under free and fair conditions that resulted in the winning of only one opposition force. She also stated, “In Armenia, the parliamentary elections are little passable for the opposition. Comprehensive systemic changes are needed until the 2012 May election that will ensure the necessary conditions to increase public confidence in the electoral process.”

Russian delegation to the OSCE member Aleksander Pochinov who is one of those three delegates that voted against the Resolution stated in his speech that he was very concerned about the statements of the Resolution, “For example, three countries are asked to change their constitutions, which is a direct assault on their sovereignty.” And he asked a question whether the OSCE intended to give lessons to everybody about his constitution. Aleksander Pochinov inquired what was the point of stating in the document that in the Russian Federation, Azerbaijan and Armenia the majority of the opposition remained outside parliament, “The voters decide who will be in the parliament.” He also mentioned that there are 80 parties in Armenia.

RLP MP Gagik Baghdasaryan and Heritage Party MP Zaruhi Postanjyan voted on this resolution on behalf of the Armenian delegation and voted in favor.