On 28 April 2016, “Armenian Lawyers’ Association” Non-Governmental Organization (ALA) in cooperation with the CSOs group of Syunik marz of CSOs’ Anti-Corruption Coalition organized an Anti-Corruption event on the theme “ Corruption Risks in the Field of Local Self-Government of Syunik Marz” with participation of Syunik marz CSOs and Media. The event was organized in the scope of the EU funded “Multi-Faceted Anti-Corruption Promotion” Project and was held at the Syunik Anti-Corruption center of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association.

Representatives of the Civil Society Organizations, Kapan Municipality, Mass Media and the Regional Coordinator of ALA attended the event.

Miss Ani Asatryan, the Regional Coordinator of “Multi-Faceted Anti-Corruption Promotion” Project of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association welcomed the participants. And further presented the report on “Occurrences of Corruption Risks and Problems in the Field of Local Self-Government of Syunik Marz.” She stressed that the majority of citizens applying to Syunik ACC are dissatisfied with the corruption occurrences that exist in activities of local urban development sphere. This is because, it is a tradition to create artificial obstacles in case of providing the plot or rent space, for the construction or obtaining the property right. And to overcome this the citizens are often obliged to be involved in corrupt activities. It was also noted that the pre-school educational institutions are organized fundraising for different occasions, which is also unacceptable. And this is the case when the local authorities had circulated an instruction to exclude such fundraising activities. Nevertheless this continues, and this is the evidence that no strict control is in place.

Ms Kristina Saghatelyan, President of “Kapan Women’s Resource Center” NGO, Member of CSOs group of Syunik marz of CSOs’ Anti-Corruption Coalition, presented the report “CSOs group of Syunik marz of CSOs’ Anti-Corruption Coalition Activities aimed to curb Corruption Risks in the Field of Local Self-Government of Syunik Marz.” She noted that unfortunately, the local authorities do not take practical steps to organize the most effective and active cooperation of NGO – Local Self-Government. She stressed that it would be mutually more useful if cooperation is put on a firm grounds, as through NGOs it is possible to be more informed about the problems and find solutions to the problems of a wide range of social groups.

NGO representatives asked about the steps to take to reduce corruption undertaken by the municipality of Kapan City. In reply the Municipality officials said that two years ago a new system of receiving applications introduced, the so called “One Window”, which aimed to reduce corruption as a result of citizen-official communication.

Mr. Vladik Ghukasyan, President of “Meghu” NGO said that the new system may be considered as a positive step if citizens are well aware of what it is and how to use it.

Irvaban.net