Corruption exists as long as the countries exist. According to Mr. Hrayr Tovmasyan, RA Justice Minister, there are no universal recipes for struggle against corruption worldwide, and from time to time corruption risks may occur even in the countries, which have major achievements in struggle against the corruption.
“The history of the mankind is the history of struggle against the corruption as well. Beheading, hanging, making chairs from the skin of the corrupt judges for their colleagues, so that they may remember on whose chair they are sitting on, guillotine and anti-corruption strategies,” Hrayr Tovmasyan said.
December 9th is the International Anti-Corruption day. The responsible persons of the field spoke about the activities aimed to curb corruption that are carried out in Armenia during the event organized by the Armenian Young lawyers Association. Representatives from the governmental bodies, international and local organizations, lawyers and advocates attended the meeting.
Mr. Karen Zadoyan, President of the AYLA, Head of “Armenia Against Corruption” Movement believes that struggle against corruption cannot be implemented successfully, if such struggle shall not be based on the anti-corruption struggle and experience of the developing countries.
“Currently there is still a high level of corruption risks in the state government structure, and the citizens do not completely believe that they can participate in the improvement of the state government structures and struggle against the evil of corruption independently,” Karen Zadoyan mentioned.
Hrayr Tovmasyan handed the annual award “Citizen of the Year”, which was established by the National Network of Anti-Corruption Centers and the “Armenia Against Corruption” Movement, to Ms Armenuhi Arakelyan. In 2013, with the support of Yerevan ACC, she managed to restore her infringed rights recognizing the importance of the protection of her rights and showed adherence to principles. The award was given to Armenuhi Arakelyan’s husband.
“We have written in our Constitution that ‘the human being, his or her dignity, fundamental rights and freedoms are the highest values’ and everyone’s major mission, whoever it is; the minister of justice, or any committee, is to serve to the people and to solve their problems,” Hrayr Tovmasyan said.
Mr. Aram Orbelyan, RA Deputy Minister of Justice introduced the Strategic Program of the RA Legal and Judicial Reforms 2012-2016 in the light of the anti-corruption reforms.
“While planning the program of judicial reforms, our primary goal was not the struggle against corruption, but rather to have a fair and accountable judicial system,” Aram Orbelyan said.
The participants of “Armenia Against Corruption” Movement offer establishment of a Preventive Anti-Corruption Body; ensure Legal Regulation of Protection and Incentives of the Reporting Persons (Whistleblowers); realize Criminalization of Illicit Enrichment, to carry out anti-corruption education in the public schools in Armenia, etc.
