The previous human rights defender, Kristine Grigoryan, resigned on January 23. Neither Ms. Grigoryan nor those who “fired” her gave any explanation as to what were the shortcomings of HRD’s activity. I suppose that the anger of the “tops” could have arisen because the former ombudsman cooperated with his colleague from Artsakh, Gegham Stepanyan. One way or another, the vital institution of the ombudsman did not function for 2.5 months. Finally, the National Assembly decided to address this issue. Probably the government was looking for a new candidate for so long. In the end, the choice stopped with Deputy Prosecutor General Anahit Manasyan.
There is both a positive and a negative moment here. The positive thing is that the government has finally decided to appoint an HRD (appoint, because in authoritarian countries, the word “election” is very conditional; whatever the first person decides, so will it be). But whoever is appointed, having an ombudsman is better than none. If there is an institution, even if it does not function sufficiently, one can appeal to it and raise its shortcomings. The negative thing is that Ms. Manasyan is an employee of the prosecutor’s office, that is, the department that tends to accuse rather than defend. In addition, if the prosecutor’s office allows a human rights violation and the ombudsman is assigned to deal with the case, a conflict of interest may arise.
It is also a positive phenomenon that the opposition has decided to put forward its candidate this time. The election of Edgar Ghazaryan is also not ideal: the public speeches of the former ambassador and the governor are oppositional, and the post of HRD, as far as I understand, requires political restraint. But, in all cases, it is right to offer an alternative to the government. If some miracle happens and the Civil Contract members vote for the opposition candidate, then the protection of human rights will only benefit from it. Although this will not occur, the human rights debate itself, if it does not degenerate into the usual “robber-traitor” tongue-in-cheek, can be helpful too.
One smaller note. It would be desirable if all MPs of the two opposing factions had a harmonious position regarding their candidate.
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ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
