Interview with advocate Norayr Norikyan on the election of new Obudsman.
Who of the three nominees is the candidate that you prefer and why?
I have no preferences with this regard. I do not know the candidates personally. I know two of them, from their social and political activities.
You know, since we are talking about the candidates, it is not important or not essential who they had been. It is, much more important and essential to know who will be the Human Rights Defender.
My vision of the Human Rights Defender is that he should have certain features which show his status and reputation.
The most important for me is the charisma and intelligence of the ombudsman as a personality as well as the reputation which he obtained as a result of his activities and which shall provide opportunity to make his speech valid and serious, and thus he will be accepted by everyone regardless of their attitude towards the Defender’s person.
What are the problems that the new Ombudsman still face?
I think that the new Defender is facing serious challenges and first of all he has to restore the Ombudsman’s authority, which is jeopardized.
This is a serious problem, and I sincerely welcome, no matter who will be the new Defender, if he is able to overcome it and achieve a condition where the reputation of the Defender’s institute will be at worthy level.
What will you recommend to the new Ombudsman?
I would propose to work with the public in an open and transparent manner and in the possibly shortest period of time emphasize the strategic objectives and the ways and methods to achieve them. Also to form a professional team and develop the regional offices.
And most importantly, prevent the shortcomings and failures of predecessors.
What should the Ombudsman be like to avoid pressure and the influence of the power or opposition?
He should be faithful to his mission and objective. Able to say NO and display the will to solve the problems.
Be sure that then everyone will respect and regard him. As a result, the Institute the Human Rights defender will be on due level, which will be a benefit for the society.
