Creation and operation of the anti-Corruption Council raised many controversial opinions. Gayane Gevorgyan, Coordinator of the AYLA Anti-Corruption Center of Shirak Marz considers that the number of NGO representatives in the Council should be five and not two, and not as an observer but as a direct participant, because they might have better expert skills, find more reasons and fill the gaps easier.
“Many non-governmental organizations are afraid that if they will change the observer’s status and transfer to a more operational field, their responsibility will increase. But I think that regardless of fact which sector the person represents – the NGO sector or the Governmental sector, he should be responsible for the decisions and events happening around if the person works in the Council,” Ms Gevorgyan said.
Referring to the strategy, she said, “In fact, the civil society representatives will not be able to influence decision-making, which means that the strategy plans will operate exactly in the manner as they would be presented. However, I think that other members’ opinions should be taken into account as well; in addition, the decisions should be presented for public discussions. Voting pros and cons would be more effective as representatives from different sectors will be able to find more complete solution to solve the problem.”
She also noted that the activity of the Council has positive aspects, but the gaps are prevailing. “Activities will rather have more declarative nature. That is, if the Council takes decisions based on the activities of the Ministry, it will have a vesting status. In addition the issues of responsibility, punishment of activity for the negative impact caused by vesting, remained open. Thus it turns out that the Council is unable to continue functioning or will continue to work in the same way. I think that the involvement of civil society institutions can change many things, introduce public control so that the necessary solutions will be given to the negative occurrences,” Ms Gevorgyan concluded.
Lilit Shaboyan
