In our country, the notion of “ethics” of the officials or the lawmakers is used not in the sense, which is understood in abroad. Suppose, Schmays or Tokhmakh Mher, in the framework of their education and upbringing, allow themselves phrases that they commonly use in kebab fast-food eatery while having “lunch”. In our country, it becomes a subject of discussion by the NA Ethics Committee. This will not work in the West. If any lawmaker is obstinate and unable to temper his language, the society and the media make them a target and they are not elected again. They do not need any reproach by the Committee and a communist “friendly lawsuit”. People in Armenia are elected and appointed despite the public opinion, this is why the Ethics Committee is “dealing” with them.
In reality, the problems of the Ethics Committee are more serious, they one way or the other are associated with conflict of interests and public behavior of the state officials. If the official, let’s say, holds a high position in tax service and at the same time is engaged in the businesses, this apparently is a conflict of interest, and the respective Committee should be dealing with it. If the Minister has two service cars, which serve him and his family at the expense of the state (including, out of work purposes), it is a violation of ethics. If the official is using the state resources to buy a ticket to go to Dubai to rest, it is a subject for discussion by the Ethics Committee. There are major proprietors in the National Assembly (let’s say, they do not break the law and are not engaged in business), if they propose projects that will promote to the multiplication of their ownership, then it is an ethical issue. Otherwise, what Sushan Petrosyan has written on Facebook, I think, the NA Committee should not be dealing with it.
If we, at least, hear about the National Assembly’s Ethics Committee sessions at times, then the activities of the Ethics Committee regarding high-ranking officials are held apparently by a “latent” mode. The officials declare something, it is taken ad notam, and probably is kept somewhere in the archives, which may ever be used. I have never heard of any information to be checked and discussed. Let’s say, revealing the sources of 5 million dollars-worth mansion owned by the officials. If it is just an information database, then why it is called a Committee. What is its assignment?
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
