As we have already informed, under the autumn plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg, the Monitoring Committee addressed Armenia’s constitutional reforms. The release disseminated by the PACE particularly notes, “The choice of the political system is for the citizens of Armenia, and only for them, to decide in the forthcoming referendum. The Commission therefore calls on all the political stakeholders to ensure that the referendum is conducted in accordance with the highest democratic standards.”
Aravot.am asked the expert for the “Center of Political and International Studies,” Ruben Mehrabyan, whether this statement should be viewed as a warning to the RA authorities that the referendum should not be rigged, Mr. Mehrabyan replied, “PACE has actually left Armenia as a state and to the society to decide as to what to do with the own Constitution. And whatever disagreements there were based on contradictions the RA international commitments, these issues are discussed and still underway with the Venice Commission until the issue is brought to its logical conclusion.”
Ruben Mehrabyan accepts that in fact each country eventually decides at its own what to do with its Constitution. But at the same time, Mr. Mehrabyan noted that in the event when given country violates the international commitments on internal matters, in this case, the response is fairly harsh in the form of resolutions as well, which is also not ruled out by the constitutional referendum, if such an opportunity become apparent in Strasbourg.
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
