The issues of creation of the Independent Anti-Corruption Body, corruption and social issues in the fields of public subsidy as well as other issues were discussed at the meeting of the Governing Board of Armenian CSO Coalition
Mr. Karen Zadoyan, Coordinator of the CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition Secretariat said that the agenda includes 9 questions.
The members of the Governing Board approved the 2017-2019 Strategic Plan and the 2017-2018 Sustainability and Fundraising Plans of the Coalition.
One of the key issues was presentation of the current work in the creation of the Independent Anti-Corruption Body. Karen Zadoyan updated the members about the latest developments. He said that a working group to ensure the institutional reforms in the fight against corruption was created pursuant to 20 December 2016 instruction of President Serzh Sargsyan.
As a result of discussions the Board members agreed that it is necessary to include the representatives of the coalition in this working group as well, otherwise the final documents developed by the working group cannot express the real expectations of society. Board members also discussed the first version of the draft legislative package “On the Bureau for Corruption Prevention and Combating of Corruption” and decided to send it for the discussion to the RA Minister of Justice, who is the head of the working group to ensure the institutional reforms in the fight against corruption and the Chief of Staff of the President
Further the Board discussed the issue of participation of the CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition in the Anti-Corruption Council at the RA Government and selection of four NGOs in it. It was decided that Mr. Karen Zadoyan, Coordinator of the CSOs’ Anti-Corruption Coalition Secretariat shall represent the Coalition in the Anti-Corruption Council.
The Board also discussed the problems of the social sphere. Karen Zadoyan recalled that 2 years ago the Anti-Corruption Centers that the Armenian lawyers’ association operated those system problems had been identified and presented to relevant bodies. According to him, one of the best ways of improving the sector is including it as a target area in the anti-corruption strategy of the RA and elaboration of a comprehensive program and its implementation. The Governing Board decided to draw the issue to the Government’s attention.
The issue of membership of the “Armenian Young lawyers Association” and “Civil Voice” NGOs in CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition was discussed as well. The decision to approve their membership was adopted and as a result the Coalition currently has 90 members.
It should also be noted that on 9 January 2017, the Deputy Minister of Justice Suren Krmoyan, asked the Armenian Lawyers’ Association and the CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition to provide relevant studies or international experience aimed at the implementation of the requirement of point 37 of the “RA Anti-Corruption Strategy 2015-2018 and its implementation Action Plan,” which provides the definition of minimum standards of transparency of political decision makers. The meeting of the Governing Board of CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition decided to apply to the “Armenian Young lawyers Association” with the request to carry out the study.
The Board also discussed the corruption risk and issues that exists public subsidies, in particular those in the fertilizer market; corruption in the funeral services’ sector. Speaking of this last mentioned problem Karen Zadoyan stated that there is administrative corruption in the allocation of places and the citizens face this every day. Board members decided to begin joint discussions with the Government and propose solutions.
During the meeting, the Board members discussed other issues as well. Artak Manukyan, representative of SME Cooperation Association referred to the issue of E-register. He said that a number of officials have registered their companies in Nagorno-Karabakh and it is impossible to clarify. It was noted that this issue was discussed last year with the representatives of the business sector and this issue has been presented to the government, but the Board members decided to refer to it again, sending the corresponding letter to the Prime Minister.
Ms Satik Badeyan, President of “Regional Development and Research” NGO, stated at the meeting that the sector of procurement of medicines is problematic; according to the expert dubious companies receive certificates and this is fraught with serious risks.
