Friday, February 12 2016 08:20

NA Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs finished discussions related to the candidature for the Ombudsman's position, the Committee proposed Deputy Justice Minister Arman Tatoyan for this position. 

Six Republican members of the Committee voted for Tatoyan, as well as MP from ARF Dashanktustyun Artsvik Minasyan, no one abstained from voting. Independent MPs Tigran Urikhanyan and Edmon Marukyan, representative of Orinats Yerkir Party Hovhannes Margaryan and Head of Heritage Faction and the second candidate for the Ombudsman's position Zaruhi Postanjyan voted against. 

Four MPs voted for Zaruhi Postanjyan: independent Tigran Urikhanyan and Edmon Marukyan, representative of Orinats Yerkir Party Hovhannes Margaryan and Postanjyan herself. Member of Dashanktsutyun Artsvik Minasyan broke his promise and did not give his vote for Postanjyan. No one abstained from voting. 

4 MPs voted for candidate Narek Aloyan, who was proposed by independent Tigran Urikhanyan.  As a result, the Committee proposed Arman Tatoyan's candidature, which National Assembly must choose based on a secret, closed voting of 3/5 votes during a plenary session. 

Independent MP Edmon Marukyan was the first to propose a candidature for Ombudsman's position, he proposed Head of Heritage opposition faction Zaruhi Postanjyan. He called for everybody to vote for Postanjyan as she is a recommendable candidate for this position. In his turn Secretary of the Republican Party Faction Gagik Melikyan expressed concern that if Postanjyan is chosen for the position Heritage Faction will stop functioning, as Postanjyan is the only one, who presents it in the parliament. 
Postanjyan in her turn noted that the new Constitution of Armenia is already being violated, as according to the law, hearings on Ombudsman's candidates must be held in the Commission on Human Rights and not in the Committee on State and Legal Affairs. "Besides another violation is that a lot of political forces, which do not have members in the state committee were deprived of the opportunity to propose their candidates on the position of Human Rights Defender. Civil society also was not able to propose a candidature", Postanjyan noted. She also noted that she has relevant knowledge, will and commitment for efficient protection of Armenia's citizens' rights. "Besides, I do not see other worthy candidates on this position. Two other candidates from Alliance party and from Republican Party did not outstand with activities of right protection. 
Republican, Head of the Committee Hovhannes Sahakyan in his turn noted that the documents presented by Postanjyan are not quite in the procedure as she has presented a diploma issued by a private HEI, which does not have a state license and is not approved by the Education Ministry".  Independent MP Tigran Urikhanyan proposed member of Alliance party Narek Aloyan. In his speech Aloyan stated that problems with human rights are widespread in Armenia. 
Ruling Republican Party proposed candidature of Deputy Justice Minister Arman Tatoyan. In his speech Tatoyan emphasized that he realizes that in case he is chosen he will face serious challenges on the position of Ombudsman but he is ready to tackle them.