On
March 21, on the initiative of the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of
Armenia Ms. Anahit Manasyan and in cooperation with the Standing Committee on
Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs of the National Assembly,
parliamentary hearings were held on the topic “Public Noise as an Obstacle to
the Observance of the Rules of Coexistence, Current Legal Regulations.
Legislative Solutions”.
The
parliamentary hearings were attended by deputies, representatives of various
state agencies, civil society, academic circles, and experts.
In her
speech, the Defender noted that although the problem of unacceptable noise
levels is not often discussed from a human rights perspective, it has a direct
impact on fundamental human rights, both in terms of the right to health
protection, as well as the inviolability of private life and ill-treatment.
“The
Human Rights Defender’s Office receives numerous complaints regarding
unacceptable noise levels from both Yerevan and different regions of Armenia.
The number of complaints received by the Human Rights Defender’s Office in 2024
has been so large that this problem will also be addressed in the 2024 annual
report. Complaints have concerned noise from public catering facilities,
entertainment venues, car washes, and restaurants, as well as construction
noise—even on weekends—disrupting citizens’ peace,” stated the Defender.
Ms.
Anahit Manasyan emphasized that while some issues are resolved with the
Defender’s support, the risk of their recurrence is quite high due to the lack
of clear control mechanisms. Thus, it is necessary to have comprehensive
legislation in this area, which will completely transform the sector.
At
the end of the public hearings, Ms. Anahit Manasyan noted that all the
discussions that the changes being implemented in the sector could disrupt
certain activities in the business sector are not appropriate at all, since
their only goal will be to have noise levels and coexistence rules that align
with international standards.
“We
must not forget that behind all these issues are people and the fundamental
rights of these people are actually being violated,” Ms. Anahit Manasyan
concluded.
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