Epress.am News from Armenia
The Armenian government today struck down a bill on making amendments to the RA Law on the Legal Regime of a State of Emergency proposed by Armenian National Congress MPs.
Note, the 7 MPs of the Armenian National Congress faction had raised the issue of involved the armed forces in a state of emergency, asking that this provision of the law be annulled.
At the government meeting, RA Minister of Justice Hrayr Tovmasyan said the issues raised by the initiative were discussed during adoption of the law.
"These deputies are addressing the matter of using armed forces during a state of emergency and are offering other options. This question has been discussed repeatedly; it is derived from the Constitution, according to which armed forces, in addition to territorial security, also ensure domestic security," said the minister.
According to the government's rationale, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia can be used in case of an armed attack on Armenia, when there is imminent danger of attack or during a declared state of war or martial law, as well as in case of a declared state of emergency. When a state of emergency is declared, "the state authorized Republic of Armenia defense body's human resources, technical and transport means can be used also with weapons and ammunition."