The Civil Society should be a role player, oversee the Government’s activities and dictate its actions. Unfortunately such civil society is not yet formed in Armenia. However only in this way it is possible to reduce corruption in our country.

On 6 September, Mr. Karen Zadoyan, the Coordinator of the Secretariat of the Anti-Corruption Coalition met with the representatives of Coalition member CSOs of the region. Representatives of other interested GCOs attended the meeting as well. The meeting was held in Kapan City. Mr. Zadoyan shared information about his participation in the 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) in Putrajaya, Malaysia, as well as the visits in the framework of the conference.

According to Karen Zadoyan, the civil society in Malaysia has reached the level of which we are only talking.

Mr. Zadoyan gave one example: The prime Minister of the Country, who is perceived by the public as a corrupt public official, had to deliver a welcoming speech at the opening of the Conference. However a few days prior to the conference the civil society held protest actions stating that the corrupt official has no right to deliver a welcoming speech at the Anti-Corruption Conference. Despite the fact the speech of the Prime Minister was indicated in the Conference agenda, however the latter did not attend the event on the opening day.

In addition, at the meeting with the Anti-Corruption Coalition members, Mr. Zadoyan said that people in this country are intolerant towards any form of corruption. “When we were going around the city, the taxi driver showed an ordinary and not so luxury two storied mansion on the hill and said that it was the Prime Minister’s official residence. The mid and lower level state officials in Armenia live in much more luxurious mansion house. In reply to our remark why he was so upset, the driver said, “It’s not fair; this property has been built by funds generated from our paid taxes. Those funds should be spent more wisely,” Mr. Zadoyan told.

With regard to our reality, he did not provide extensive descriptions, but only noted that every citizen is well aware what property our officials possess.

During the discussion the participants presented their own positions regarding the level of corruption in Kapan, as well as shared their ideas that were aimed at combating this occurrence.

Iravaban.net