Concerned that the Anti-Corruption Council newly-established by the RA Government is not in compliance with the requirements of the UN Convention Against Corruption Articles 6 and 36 on the principles of independence, effectiveness, participation and professionalism, as well as the Jakarta Statement on Principles for Anti-Corruption Agencies and Kuala Lumpur Statement on Anti-Corruption Strategies,
Taking into account that the Government has not undertaken any significant step towards the implementation of the issues raised in the 28 November, 2014 Message of the Anti-Corruption CSO Coalition addressed to the Prime Minister,
Stating that the Government has not accepted the suggestions of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, as well as the Armenian Anti-Corruption CSO Coalition and its member-organizations addressing the issue of ensuring broader CSO involvement and real participation in the Anti-Corruption Council,
Pursuant to have an independent, effective, participatory and professional Anti-Corruption Council in Armenia, compliant with the provisions of the Articles 6 and 36 of the UN Convention Against Corruption and other international documents, including the Jakarta Statement on Principles for Anti-Corruption Agencies and Kuala Lumpur Statement on Anti-Corruption Strategies.
Considering the CSO-Government dialogue as a precondition for the effectiveness of the Anti-Corruption struggle,
The Anti-Corruption Coalition of the Civil Society Organizations decides,
To refrain from nominating candidates of Coalition member CSOs and from taking part in the competition for the involvement in the Anti-Corruption Council,
To continue its active role in the Anti-Corruption struggle, in particular carrying out independent and professional monitoring of the activities of the newly-established Anti-Corruption Council,
Simultaneously, to promote the dialogue with the Government towards establishing an independent, effective, participatory and professional Anti-Corruption Body and criminalizing illicit enrichment through establishing a CSO-Government expert working group.
Anti-Corruption Coalition of the Civil Society Organizations,
16 March, 2015
Yerevan
The Anti-Corruption Coalition of Civil Society Organizations was established by the initiative of the Armenian Young Lawyers` Association and the Information Freedom Center on 28 November, 2014, with the membership of around 70 CSOs from Yerevan and the regions.
