The discussion of the Draft NGO Law in the framework of the project “Support for Democratic Governance in Armenia” implemented by the British Council with financial assistance of the European Union took place today.
The RA Minister of Justice Hovhannes Manukyan began the discussion of the draft law form criticizing a number of NGOs. “Unfortunately, it turns out that everyone is present when criticizing and are ready to say something, but when it is time to work, there are always some problems; the holidays are coming soon, there are some family problems. But it does not seem that we do not have that family problems, especially considering that mister Ambassador is summing up the year (the Minister meant Ambassador Traian Hristea, the Head of EU Delegation to Armenia – G.T.), he is really busy, but combines these.”
The minister said that the amendments were being discussed for a long time, “A number of NGOs had great expectations from these changes, but ridiculously, when this problem developed into a concept, and then became a draft law, the critics multiplied. I remember the skeptical approach, when there were gossips that this will not be accepted. Even one NGO President announced that that if this law would be passed, he would hang the picture of the Ministry team on the wall of his office. I hope that eventually we will be able to implement the optimal regulations, and have this law, then we shall see whether this NGO President will keep his word or not.” Hovhannes Manukyan also remembered a joke, “The idea of the joke is: it seems that everything is fine, everything is normal, but I do not understand where they are cheating. Let’s think together today and understand whether there is a problem of cheating or not. Or we just are not used to trust each other,” Mr. Manukyan concluded.
Further Hovhannes Manukyan, left the humor and said that any political decision of the government would be more effective if it goes through the public discussion phase. Referring to the Draft NGO Law Mr. Manukyan noted, “Here the tools and approaches must be reasonable, very gentle and careful, because the civil society is in the process of development in our country. And the role of the non-governmental organizations and public associations in the process of this development is rather essential.”
