In addition to the Anti-Corruption Council anti-corruption sub-councils should operate in Armenia as well, Levon Nersisyan, President of “Astghik” Disabled Children’s Parents Association NGO believes. In the interview with Iravaban.net he said “Corruption is a complex concept and is deep rooted. And concentration of fight against it in only one Council in our opinion is not expedient. Regional sub-council should be created in addition.”
According to Mr. Nersisyan, the next important precondition of struggle anti-corruption fight is that the Civil Society representatives shall participate in the activities of those councils. “I am not of the opinion that if 10 CSOs shall be included they will work effectively, however here participation is more important,” he said.
He also considered the circumstance that the Anti-Corruption Council shall have an advisory character. Mr. Nersisyan brought an example of his own experience, “There is a National Commission for the Social protection of the Disabled People, which is an Advisory Body as well, and the NGOs of the sector participate in it together with the government members. It has no direct effect on the activities of the government, but currently there is no other way. Certain things are done, there are suggestions, and they listen to us. This is a participatory process,” he noted.
However, referring to the fight against corruption, he opined that the best way is to create an independent body and anti-corruption law, which will regulate the activities of the sphere.
Gayane Poghosyan, Director of Foundation for Small and Medium Businesses believes that involvement of only two NGO representatives in the Council is too little. “The Council should be comprise of independent NGOs, which will be able to balanced the state bodies, which in case of this Council is not supported. Anti-Corruption fight starts with all of us; our common goal is to struggle against it. It is necessary to involve different representatives of NGO sector, including our sector as well, so that the anti-corruption fight is conducted in all directions and effectively. I think that public bodies should also be, but the range of NGOs should be expanded,” Ms Poghosyan stressed.
Iravaban.net
