Constitutional reforms concept includes new approaches from the aspect of the guarantees of the rule of law that are welcomed. Aram Vardevanyan, the Advisor to the President of the Constitutional Court in the interview with Iravaban.net stressed that in order to have a more distinct approached it is necessary to see the new Draft of the Constitution, “The Concept in the interpretation of the diplomatic language is the road map.”
One of the positive approaches according to Mr. Vardevanyan is that the grounds for the restriction of every right will be laid down in the Constitution. “It will be like in case of the property rights, when the grounds for restriction are mentioned just in the Constitution itself, imagine that the people will definitely know their rights whether they will be able to challenge the limitation of their rights or not,” Mr Vardevanyan said.
The other relates to the conduct of referenda. According to the concept referendums will be held more often, for example, determining the issue of membership of Armenia in international organizations. “That is, we shall advance in the direction of a more active civil society and a more active participation in key decision makings.”
Aram Vardevanyan highlights the fact that according to the concept the rule of law will not only be laid down in the Constitution, but also the mechanisms and guarantees for its protection and implementation will be developed.
There are many different views on the introduction of the institution of the jury. There are opinions that it may not be effective because of the small country, many people know each other and the jury cannot be trustful and impartial.
“The Jury institution should have the right to be called to life, it is the institution that have not been used in the Republic of Armenia. We can have a lot of discussions in the theoretical level, but as long as we have not seen it in practice, we cannot give its objective assessment,” Aram Vardevanyan said. He also added that in the initial phase it may be introduced through pilot project for some cases, and in case of positive results expand the scope of its application.
With regard to the issue of distrusts towards the jury, Mr. Vardevanyan said that in such case we shall ot trust any MP, judge or any other officials.
