OSCE holds discussion on new Armenian Criminal Procedure Code

YEREVAN, 15 November 2011 – The OSCE Office in Yerevan supported an expert workshop today to review and discuss the theoretical and practical issues of Armenia’s new draft criminal procedure code.

The event is organized by the OSCE Office in Yerevan and the U.S. Department of Justice in co-operation with the Armenian Constitutional Court, Justice Ministry and Yerevan State University.

“Today’s workshop is the first in a series of events meant to thoroughly review the draft and discuss recommendations of all interested parties, such as civil society organizations, lawyers, judges and academics,” said Carel Hofstra, Acting Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. “We have been assisting the Armenian authorities and the working group in the drafting process in co-operation with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.”

The general part of the draft Code was prepared by a working group initiated by the Armenian Justice Ministry, which was tasked to follow up on the recommendations included in the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights’ (ODIHR) report on the trials that took place in the aftermath of the March 2008 post-election violence in Yerevan. ODIHR provided expert opinion on the concept of the new Criminal Procedure Code in November 2010. An OSCE expert joined the working group in the elaboration of the draft.

Hrayr Ghukasyan, Law Professor leading the working group, added: “One of the main principles of our working group’s operation is transparency. This means a continuous discussion with all parties involved, listening to their opinions and acknowledging criticism. We will take into consideration the outcome of today’s discussion and upcoming workshops; they will be a valuable contribution for the Code’s drafting process”.

Armenian criminal procedure code presently in force was adopted in 1998.