On 20 May 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 implementation of Property Rights in 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, the Office of Human Rights Defender, Local Government bodies, 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 “Corruption Risks in the Field of implementation of Property Rights in Syunik Marz.”
She stressed in her report that the main and the foremost step in solving the problems that exist in all levels of implementation of property rights is raising the legal awareness of the population. She also noted that the CSOs as well as the government bodies are the main responsible in this aspect as the citizen first of apply to them with their problems. She said that the citizens often face problems in document flow phase and face the bureaucracy, which gives rise to corruption. But when the citizen is aware of their rights as a result of explanatory work, they will not be forced to get involved in corruption. But government agencies usually do not perform this function properly, which creates and shapes an unhealthy atmosphere of mistrust towards public authorities.
Ms Arshaluys Papazyan, Head of Syunik Regional Branch of the National Archives of Armenia SNCO said that our citizens need courteous and kind attitude. And when they do not get it, depending on the specifics of the Armenian mentality they think that they should show the proper attitude to the official so that the latter shall be sympathetic towards them.
Ms Bella Ghazaryan, representative of Lernadzor Community mentioned that despite the resent reforms in the State Committee of the Real Estate Cadaster adjunct to the RoA Government, there are numerous problems , one of which is providing the property rights certificates which were prepared still during the first state registration of property rights. She noted that there are many members in their community who are still unable to get their property certificates, and are not properly explained what the problem is.
Ms Oksana Davtyan, responsible for Syunik regional branch of Human Rights defender considers we all and each of us are responsible for curbing corruption. She noted that not only the public official, should demonstrate political will, but also citizen should feel responsibility on their part in reducing corruption.
Ms Erna Arzumanyan, Kapan responsible of Jinishyan Foundation said that the anti-corruption policy should be developed as an educational program as well and its threats and the ways of fighting corruption shall be taught starting from the school.
