Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 26
Trend:
Armenian human rights activists continue to criticize the new Judicial Code of Armenia.
A discussion on the topic "Judicial Code: problems and challenges" was held in Yerevan on Dec.25, where a number of human rights activists negatively assessed the draft law on introducing amendments to the Judicial Code approved by the Parliament on Dec.21.
The authorities are not ready to reform the judicial system, said human rights activist Avetik Ishkhanyan. The reforms were carried out under the threat of deprivation of US funding, said lawyer Hayk Alumyan. The Venice Commission presented a draft of the Judicial Code, different from the one adopted by the parliament, argues human rights defender Arthur Sakunts.
The judicial system is under the control of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, the head of the Helsinki Committee of Armenia, human rights activist Avetik Ishkhanian stated during the discussion.
He believes that the Armenian authorities will not reform the judicial system, since its dependence allows the ruling party to retain power.
"It is doubtful that the power that "saw" "March 1," will suddenly show goodwill and make democratic reforms of the justice system," he explained.
On March 1, 2008, the police came down upon the demonstrators holding twenty-four-hour protests against the 2008 presidential election results on Azatutyun square. The police dispersed the protestors through use of force. Thereafter, thousands of protestors gathered near the Myasnikyan monument. Later, at night, the authorities called in the militarize and applied arms on the defenseless demonstrators, killing 10 people and wounding many others.