Why has the issue of freedom of information been included in the schedule of today’s session of the Anti-Corruption Council? Mrs. Shushan Doydoyan, President of “Freedom of Information” NGO raised this question in the beginning of her speech.
And she answered the question, “Many people ask, ‘’what does it have to do? However the international practice shows that freedom of information is the main tool for fight against corruption. It first of all ensures the transparency of the government’s activities; second, the people are able to exercise their basic rights; and the third condition is that the accessible information ensures establishment of accessibility towards the power and the government.”
Mrs. Doydoyan also added, “In fact I was trying to assess this event since yesterday, as I truly believe that the first session of the Council is really an important historic event for the Republic of Armenia. For several years we did not have a strategy and an anti-corruption body. I attach great importance to the participation of civil society, which, in my opinion, is not enough represented today. That is why I think the number one prerequisite for the effective operation of the Board is the formation of the confidence of the Government and the Civil Society.”
Further she referred to her report, introduced the planned changes and wished a “green light” to the members of the Council. “I have four children, and I want my children to live free from corruption country, so I am hopeful that the work of this Council will not disappoint the people, thus I wish you a good green light way,” she said. Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan in his turn said, “We have to our best to disappoint those people who do not want to participate in the first session of our Council, and do it with our good, effective and fair work.”
