KEY CONCERNS IN THE FIELD OF COMPETENCIES
Lilit Poghosyan
Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on July 15, 2008
Armenia
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Tomas Hammarberger
visited Armenia on July 13 to familiarize himself with the
parliamentary investigations of March 1-2 developments.
Yesterday morning he had meetings in the National Assembly with the
members and representatives of the Temporary Committee.
In response to our questions Chairman of NA Temporary Committee,
Secretary of RPA faction Samvel Nikoyan gives the details of the
meetings.
"We have given the details of the Committee’s activity, beginning from
the mechanisms of the formation up to the principles. I have also
introduced the facts; in particular I told the commissioner that we
have appealed to Levon Ter-Petrosyan, proposing him to have personal
participation, or to send his representative to partake in the works of
the committee. In response he announce during his demonstration that
he is ready to send someone who has psychological problems. I also
informed the commissioner that despite this disrespectful attitude the
committee remained in the field of positive emotions. We again appealed
to Levon Ter-Petrosyan, to send an expert to maintain balance in the
committee, in the level of an expert. But unfortunately there was no
response. I also introduced the work we have implemented together with
"Heritage" party : what we did for them to participate in the works
of the committee, the principles and the directions adopted by the
committee, the framework of the issues, with which we appeal to the
state bodies and demand the copies of the corresponding documents,
the whole information that can help reveal the truth.
I also told him that we have separated the events that took place
before March 1 from the ones that took place on March 1-2, which is
aimed at ensuring comprehensive investigation and having a balanced
picture. By the way we appealed to Levon Ter-Petrosyan with this
issue as well. And of course we didn’t get any response.
We have also provided the publicity of the committee’s activity. We
invite journalists, representatives from OSCE, and the US Embassy to
participate in our sessions, anyone whose participation can promote
complete investigation of the case."
"Which is by the way a manifestation of good will, because according
to NA decision the Committee doesn’t have to do so."
"Yes. PACE resolution 1620 runs that the Committee must work by that
principle. We have adopted that principle much earlier, than PACE
would pass that resolution and it is very good that the same principles
are enshrined in PACE recommendations. We attach great importance to
the participation of the Human Rights Defender in the works of the
committee and to giving us all the documents, mat erials and tapes
that he possesses. He should give us all the materials and participate
in the formulation of the questions that we give to the state bodies."
"What was the response of the commissioner?"
"He introduced his standpoints regarding the competencies of the
committee. What competencies does the committee have, what rights,
what can we do.
In essence there are two key issues: will it work or not and how will
it work – comprehensively, balanced, impartial or not.
After introducing the forms and methods of our work I think it is
senseless to speak about partiality and their concerns remained in
the field of competencies.
In general the meeting was rather meaningful. Moreover because the
commissioner brought an expert with him and because he had lots of
things to say he offered to have another meeting tomorrow. Which
testifies to the fact that our meeting was productive.
His proposal to meet again and discuss the conditions of the overloaded
schedule, in my view shows the importance that he attaches to the
works of the committee.