“The government informed us after the war- I do not remember when specifically, but a long time has passed- that the Human Rights Defender will no longer be invited to sessions of government. That is why I no longer participate in sessions of government,” the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, Arman Tatoyan, told reporters.
During the March 11th session, the government decided to deprive the Human Rights Defender of the constitutional guarantee of financial independence, which allowed them to reduce the annual budget of the Human Rights Defender. Arman Tatoyan said that this was aimed towards limiting the activities of the Human Rights Defender and making the office dependent on the government. He also said that all of this will have consequences.
Arman Tatoyan noted that the government did not provide an explanation as to why he will no longer be invited to sessions, and he did not participate in the March 11th session. “That is the government’s right, and I do not participate.”
Reporters asked if a similar incident took place during previous administrations. “It did not happen while I held the office,” Arman Tatoyan responded. “I do not work to please people. I simply carry out my work,” he added.
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