Advocate davit Vardanyan did not participate in the creation ore discussion of the draft law “On Prevention of Corruption and Ethics Commission”, which was submitted to public discussion on e-draft website.
“The question arises, if such a website is established and funds were provided for public discussions, then why wide scope of the lawyers are not aware of it. I am sure that there other lawyers would also not aware of it. In fact, this project was not advertised properly,” Mr. Vardanyan said.
Under this new law, the new commission will have the same composition as the Commission on Ethics of High-Ranking Officials and will be appointed by the President. Referring to this fact, the lawyer said, “We should not forget that the law could be perfect, with its procedural regulations, rights and obligations. However, reality may dictate otherwise. I mean perhaps, the law provides good conditions for independence and objectivity, but in reality these conditions are few, and there is also a need of manifestation of will. I think this is the case, which is very important. They are appointed by such entities that are considered to be the highest state power holders. Merely the fact that the law creates preconditions is not enough. I think it should just be a reality. These bodies should actually be independent, that independence must be evidenced by their work.”
As for the work of the Commission on Ethics, many experts believe that their work does not prove evidence of its independence.
Advocate davit Vardanyan noted that in the course of his professional practice he had not come to a condition when definite procedures had been examined by the Commission on Ethics. “And I also cannot remember such any case of other persons, which had public importance and establish the fact that they were able to bring this case to the end.”
