OSCE-supported workshop promotes transparency of Armenian Investigative Committee
The OSCE Office in Yerevan supported a workshop on 28-29 March 2015 in Tsaghkadzor to discuss the role and main functions of Armenia’s newly-established investigative committee and foster co-operation with media representatives.
The Committee was established by the law in June 2014, as a state unified investigative body mandated to conduct investigation in accordance with the Criminal Procedure legislation.
Some 25 media representatives learned about the role and responsibilities of the Committee, discussed sensitive issues related to reporting, on the cases investigated, confidentiality of the preliminary investigation, communication between investigators and journalists, as well as issues related to the rights to freedom and safety but also the importance of the public interest.
“We hope the event will promote transparency of the institution,” said Maria Silvanyan, National Legal Adviser at the OSCE Office in Yerevan. ”Professional media coverage and increased knowledge of the Committee itself has a role to play in that process.”
The Deputy Head of the Committee Arthur Ghambaryan noted that the discussion was useful both for media representatives to get in-depth information about the investigation procedures and sensitive aspects and for the Committee to consider issues raised by the media representatives.
Sona Truzyan, Adviser to the Investigative Committee’s Chair, presented the newly-developed website of the Committee, which was prepared with OSCE support. The website provides information on the authorities, structure, procedures, course and proceedings of the investigations, and the rights and responsibilities of the sides to the process. “I hope the online platform will serve as an exhaustive source of information and provide easy access to relevant laws, cases, rights and regulations,” she said.