Does the government have a scythe?
00:00, September 23, 2010 | Press Release
The Armenian government’s decision to create an inspectorate to oversee the activities of non-governmental organizations came as a surprise for NGOs.
Today the NA Committee on Human Rights discussed the government’s decision to create a new inspectorate with representatives of the Public Council and non-governmental organizations.
Representative of the Public Council Hovhannes Hovhannisyan says the government’s decision implies “going into the sprouting field with a scythe”. According to him, it would be better for the government to create an inspectorate to support the development of NGOs and then oversee them.
President of the Helsinki Civil Assembly’s Office in Vanadzor, advocate Artur Sakunts has studied the decision and has come to the conclusion that “the government is trying to have more control over non-governmental organizations with this decision.” “The decision allows the government to suspend the NGOs activities for not fulfilling some act at any given time.”
The advocate also finds that the government is creating an inspectorate the powers of which are not established by law, that is, they go against the RA Constitution and the RA Law on “Non-governmental Organizations”.
Attending today’s discussion was President of the Artists’ Union of Armenia Karen Aghamyan who believes that Armenia currently lacks a law on creative unions and not on non-governmental organizations.
“There are over 4,000 NGOs in Armenia and only 7 creative unions. Those unions are the pillars that will lead to the country’s prosperity,” said Mr. Aghamyan.
The draft law on “Union of Creators” is ready and the President of the Artists’ Union promised to present it during a discussion soon.
http://www.a1plus.am/en/social/2010/09/23/sakunts-aghamyan