Epress.am News from Armenia
Constitution Day is not perceived as a holiday because, it seems, it, in fact, has never been accepted, said human rights activist, Rule of Law NGO co-founder Artak Zeynalyan at a discussion in Yerevan's Media Center earlier today. Note, Armenia marks Constitution Day on July 5, the day when the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia was adopted in 1995.
According to Zeynalyan, adoption of the Constitution has substantial significance: it's important how it was adopted, as it is an act of public consent and regardless of whether we spoke out for or against, everyone should be convinced that the majority accepted the Constitution. In this case, the human rights activist said, formed will be a society of free people, which "has never happened in Armenia — this is a fact."
He said that none of the articles of the Constitution have ever been put to a referendum, but due to the renaming of Gyumri and Vanadzor, public polls, which have local referendum status, were twice conducted in these cities.
"People did not accept the Constitution as amended in 1995 and 2005 — there isn't that perception that power and, in general, all this that is provided for in the Constitution is realized in the country through their will. For constitutional reforms to be implemented, there has to be public demand and confidence in electoral institutions. It's undeniable that there is no confidence in electoral institutions — this is confirmed through judicial acts at the highest levels of court. Any constitutional amendments that have to pass through the electoral institutions cannot serve the purpose that they pursue," he said.
Speaking about the notion of constitutional reforms currently under discussion, Zeynalyan said society is indifferent to them, so there can be no demand to change the Constitution.