Epress.am News from Armenia
Oppositional Heritage parliamentary faction member Zaruhi Postanjyan said in a news conference Wednesday that her candidacy has been presented for Armenia's next human rights defender since “the people who could have assumed the ombudsman's duties were not willing to join the fight.” Postanjyan, however, did not specify who, in her opinion, could have qualified for the position.
Assessing her chances in the run for the ombudsman's post, the lawmaker said: “I practiced law for 9 years and was a decision-maker rather than a performer. I'm not familiar with Arman Tatoyan's (Armenia's ruling Republican Party's ombudsman candidate – Epress.am) activities in the Ombudsman's office, but during his three years as Deputy Justice Minister, he represented the Republic of Armenia – the respondent – in the European Court of Human Rights.
“Say, if one's fundamental and exclusive right not to be subjected to torture were violated, and the citizen took the case to the European Court, the Armenian side would be obliged to provide the Court with answers and observations regarding the [alleged] violation. That is, [Tatoyan] here would take upon himself the defence of the torturer. We also have political prisoners, but I've never heard Arman Tatoyan to express public opinion on the issue.”
Postanjyan refused to answer questions about the political forces supporting her candidacy, urging reporters to wait until the discussion of applications on February 12.
The lawmaker also commented on the rumors about former Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan having been pressured to resign. “I think it's natural that a human rights defender would be pressured, but this should not hamper the implementation of ombudsman's job,” she said.