From the beginning of the next week, RPA faction MP Hovhannes Sahakyan will present his and his headed NA state legal Standing Committee’s recommendations to the Constitutional reform committee. In the interview with Aravot.am, the MP said that they will present various recommendations, starting with the fact that men and women are equal ending with much deeper issues.
They have a number recommendations regarding the Chapter about the National Assembly. Mr. Sahakyan explained, “Regarding the voting of constitutional laws, the draft, for example, states that they must pass by another voting ratio – 3/5. However, there are important laws, such as the Criminal Procedure Code, which is important, and similar laws, according to our recommendation, should be passed by a higher ratio of votes.” To our question of what recommendations they have regarding the provision on citizenship, for example, the lawyers express concern that this provision allows, for example, Bibin to be elected a community leader or a council member. Mr. Sahakyan answered that they have not yet reached this provision.
The Venice Commission’s recommendations, particularly with regard to homosexual marriages proposal, Hovhannes Sahakyan said the following: “We are Armenians, we have our mentality and approaches. I do and will do everything for the marriage be between a woman and a man. It is not even a subject for discussion for me personally and for many people. Also, this issue has been included on the agenda a little artificially.” Referring to the recommendation to eliminate the provision on holding a second round for the maximum votes gathered parties and alliances, Mr. Sahakyan said, “The Venice Commission has mentioned that all the questions related to the second round should be regulated by the Election Code.”
To our question of which of the provisions is the most absurd and unacceptable for him in the new draft, Hovhannes Sahakyan replied, “We are talking about the Constitution, it is the backbone of our legislation, the legal system and the state. Questions about the most absurd provisions are unacceptable for me.” To our observation that the lawyers are giving such qualifications, Mr. Sahakyan replied, “There are provisions that should be in the Constitution. For example, the provision that marriages are entered between a woman and a man. We can think, between who else other than between a woman and a man. Or, it is stipulated that the woman and the men are equal. Initially, as a human, they both are equal with their rights and duties. Especially, in the Chapter on human rights and freedoms in the Constitution, there is no distinction about their rights. I do not think it should be particularly emphasized. Both are human with their natural rights and freedoms.”
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Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
