Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan wrote on his Facebook page:

“All along, my tenure as the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia has not been due to any political force‘s expression of good will, but a testament to my perseverance and allegiance to my oath.

I have had to respond to allegations made by a number of deputies of the ruling faction of the National Assembly in various public interviews and speeches, which have attempted to create the impression or depiction that my tenure thus far is the result of their “tolerance”. Moreover, it has been stated that the ruling faction has never evaluated the activities of the Human Rights Defender, presenting it as its achievement.

I declare responsibly that such allegations do not correspond with reality.

During my tenure as ombudsman, especially after the war, there have been a variety of forms of influence prohibited by law, ranging from halting or substantially reducing public service demands, to reducing ombudsman’s vehicles to serve the public, to weakening our capabilities; and, consistent attempts to eliminate financial independence and organized campaigns against the Defender, discrediting the work being done. All this, with the participation of high-ranking executive and legislative officials.

Regardless of the difficulties, I have never presented myself, nor am I going to present myself as a victim. I have exclusively performed, and will continue to perform, human rights work based solely on apolitical and impartial principles.”

Notably, today, on 17 December, the NA Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs, was discussing the issue of Kristinne Grigoryan’s candidacy for the post of Human Rights Defender nominated by the “Civil Contract” faction and proposing a candidate to the National Assembly for that post.

The committee decided with 4 votes “for” and 3 “against”, to propose Kristinne Grigoryan’s candidacy to the National Assembly.

The representatives of the opposition factions voted “against”.

Notably, currently Grigoryan holds the post of First Deputy Minister of Justice.