On 25 January, two focus group discussions on the second, third and fourth objectives of the Action Plan stemming from the 2019-2023 Judicial and Legal Reform Strategy were held on the initiative of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association.

The first of the discussions was held with representatives of state bodies: the RA Ministry of Justice, the advocacy community, the Chair of Constitutional Law of YSU Faculty of Law, the former Professional Committee on Constitutional Reforms, the Armenian Lawyers’ Association. The second discussion was held with a number of non-governmental organizations․

It should be noted that the second objective of the Judicial and Legal Reform Strategy is to establish real democracy through the use of transitional justice tools and to strengthen the rule of law.

The main discussion on this objective was whether the draft law “On the Procedure and Formation of the Fact-Finding Commission” had been drafted. If not, what is the reason for the postponement of the action, to what extent does the draft law contain the regulations indicated in the 2019-2023 Judicial and Legal Reform Strategy, etc.

Objective 3 mentions the implementation of constitutional reforms. The main emphasis was made on the formation and activity of the previous Constitutional Reform Commission.

The reforms of the electoral legislation are defined for the 4th objective.

Within the framework of the monitoring activities, questions were raised as to whether the draft law on making changes and additions to the RA Electoral Code had been developed or published. If not, what is the reason for the postponement of the action? Has the draft law on making changes and additions to the RA Electoral Code been discussed with the interested bodies, civil society, and etc.

Notably, two similar discussions have already been held on 24 January.