In
recent days, a number of deputies of the "My Step" ruling faction of
the Armenian National Assembly who are in charge of the activities of the
"Civil Contract" party in the public sphere, are engaged in
speculations and are blatantly inciting false perceptions about the role and
functions of the Human Rights Defender.
It is
very troubling to the Human Rights Defender of Armenia that the mentioned
deputies and other high-ranking officials 1) do not turn to the Defender or at
least do not try to help the Human Rights Defender to get evidence of torture
of our compatriots and hold the Azerbaijani Army responsible for other war
crimes; 2) assist in identification and analysis of evidence; 3) they do not
contact the Defender to understand how the evidence is obtained by the Defender
for the return of our compatriots in captivity in Azerbaijan can be obtained or
used, or how they can help the Defender in all these matters; 4) do not raise
the issue of what to do to affix the responsibility of the Azerbaijani
authorities for the fact that they started a war in the conditions of the new
coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic, etc.
Instead,
some of the above-mentioned deputies of the ruling parliamentary faction in
their "unsatisfied" expectations from the Human Rights Defender,
single out issues that the Defender not only constantly criticizes, but also
has addressed their systemic dangers in his large-scale statement on December
22. For example, in the run-up to the mass events announced that day, the
Defender severely criticized some sections of the opposition for insulting the
public with "mud", "zombie" or other similar labels and
further inflaming tensions.
This
is a highly reprehensible phenomenon, as it endangers the entire human rights
system in our country and inflames tensions).
It is
not clear, being members of the only supreme body that is tasked with
implementing the laws of our country, why do the some such deputies expect
steps to be taken by the Human Rights Defender which are reserved for law
enforcement bodies or courts by the force of the laws adopted by the National
Assembly. If it is a matter of lack of awareness, then the Human Rights
Defender's institution is ready to provide the necessary awareness for those
MPs, including through the active use and demonstration of international norms,
practices and limitations.
Another
member of the ruling party made an indirect public threat by saying that none
of the former ombudspersons had ever served out their terms in office as a
consequence of their performance. At the same time, the same MP generously
concluded that I, being the current Human Rights Defender, will serve until the
end, as they [the political authorities] do not care about the attitude of the
Defender towards them. It is unfortunate that the MP of the ruling faction has
such an attitude towards this important democratic institution.
In
another case, as mentioned above, the public relations officer of the ruling
party, which forms the majority of the executive branch in our country,
regularly makes public statements about the Human Rights Defender, which are
not only due to an apparent ignorance of the law, but also that of relevant
Armenia legislation. Further, such public statements are patently self-serving.
A review by the Ombudsman's staff review has confirmed that this person's posts
are particularly associated with insults and hatred from fake pages directed at
the Ombudsman's activities. In addition, there are some officials who have made
such similar written remarks which are contrary to law. As to these officials
the Defender will be initiating steps to hold them accountable for their openly
illegal behavior (the requisite evidence is already at hand).
Given
the extent to which the "government campaigns" has gone these past
few days, what has taken place, and the use of resources to do all that the
above-mentioned deputies have set out to do with the tacit approval (as the
Human Rights Defender's Office found out) of a number of other MPs and other
high-ranking officials, it is obvious that we are dealing with a highly
condemnable, and clearly illegal steps taken aimed at forming egregious
misconceptions about the Defender's activities, designed and organized to
spread misinformation, all of which is contrary to law.
It is
unfortunate that instead of jointly trying to solve the existing human rights
problems in our country, attempts are being openly and notoriously made to
create obstacles for the activities of the Human Rights Defender.
I
strongly warn that it is beyond the rights of any member of parliament or other
official in the ruling party to manipulate the activities of the Human Rights
Defender and to spread misconceptions about such activities in society.
Plainly
put, it beyond the mandate of the above-mentioned deputies to speak publicly or
even privately about the notion that I continue to hold office due to their
generosity.
Thus,
the deputy who made that declaration is hereby informed that while the Human
Rights Defender is elected by the National Assembly, nevertheless, the Defender
is vested with independence in carrying out his duties and is guided only by
the Constitution and relevant laws. Therefore, I will continue the
constitutional mission of the Human Rights Defender until the end of my term by
utilizing the full extent of my mandate, fully utilizing the resources and the
powers vested in me to fullest extent of the law.
No
direct or indirect threat, no "fake" attack can play a role in the
Defender's assessments and statements. All publications made by the Defender
are based on professional research, objective facts, and an objective analysis
on every instance. The foundation of all such work by the Defender based on
international norms, standards and requirements.
I
look forward with great interest to publications by all of the referenced
deputies and other high-ranking officials, with the same intensity describing
what efforts they have undertaken this far, the results achieved by each of
them in securing redress for the rights of our compatriots which have been
grossly violated as a result of this war. This, so that together we may go
about and expeditiously register progress and secure the solid and necessary
proof. Irrespective of this and everything else, the Human Rights Defender's
Office continues its mission with that aim.
PS.
It pains me to have to address this issue at what is a critical period in our
country’s history.
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