“We have twenty leading cases at the European Court of Human Rights in connection to Armenia that have not been closed yet. The European Court’s sentences for 55 percent of the critical cases in connection to Armenia have not been carried out,” Vice President of the European Implementation Network, Philip Leach, said in Yerevan during a discussion regarding the implementation of judgments made by the European Court of Human Rights.
The discussion was held by the European Implementation Network and the Helsinki Citizens Assembly Vanadzor office. The purpose of the discussion was to create a platform for national and international experts to discuss issues present in the realm of human rights in Armenia and the rule of law.
Philip Leach said that the goal is to ensure that the judgments made by the ECHR are being upheld. He said, “The European Court has become the global beacon of justice through defending ethnic minorities in Europe, representatives of the LGBT community, and the rights of human rights activists. We have a powerful international court that provides a network of security, especially in instances where national courts are unable to carry out their role. There are issues in implementing judgments. The question of why those judgments need to be carried out is often raised.”
According to Philip Leach, the working style of state departments and state officials needs to change, but sometimes, sentences will promote such changes.
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Speaking about the work of the Armenian government, the Vice President of the European Implementation Network sadly noted, “The government of Armenia is not presenting the program of activities of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. It is also not presenting suggestions in response to these judgments. Or, it presents those very late.”
Tatev Harutyunyan
