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Armenia’s First Ombudsman Hopes Next One Calls it Like it Is

The position of Human Rights Defender of Armenia being vacant for 5 days is a violation of the law, said Heritage Party MP and Armenia’s first ombudsman Larisa Alaverdyan, speaking to journalists in Yerevan today.

As for the successor to the current ombudsman, Alaverdyan said she hoped that he or she would “not be subjected to” and would not follow “the observed trend of having a more passive role in relations with ruling authorities.”

“For example, there are political prisoners in Armenia,” said Alaverdyan, noting that the former human rights defender avoided using this term, which Alaverdyan considered a concession.

According to the former ombudsman, this activity becomes psychologically more difficult for those who have had direct ties with the ruling authorities.