Armenian MP Critical of Parliament, Explains Why She Will No Longer Use the Word ‘Ethics’

That which is happening in the National Assembly during the 2 four-day sessions so far this year should concern everyone, said Heritage Party MP Larisa Alaverdyan, speaking to journalists in parliament today.

The opposition lawmaker particularly criticized the bill on emergency rule adopted by parliament yesterday, whereby the president can turn to the military for help if police and other security forces are unable to maintain order during a state of emergency.

Alaverdyan mentioned that the army’s involvement on Mar. 1, 2008, was clearly outside of the confines of the law.

“Now we want a law so that we can say [calling in the army] then was illegal because there was no law. Legislation has to stem from the principles of democracy, legality, and universal solidarity,” she said.

In her opinion, the current fourth convocation of the National Assembly has adopted laws which violate human rights.

“In Armenia today, the source of illegality and transgression are the ruling authorities — authorities who have been called to maintain legality,” she said.

Alaverdyan added, those who speak of ethics are the ones who engage in illegal acts, so for this reason she will try to use the word “ethics” less from now on.