OSCE human rights chief says progress on judicial reform key for Armenia’s democratic development

YEREVAN, 10 March 2011 – The Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Ambassador Janez Lenarčič, stressed today the importance of furthering judicial reform for the country.

Lenarčič is in Armenia on a two-day visit to discuss democratic reforms and review the implementation of recommendations made in the ODIHR report on the trials related to the 2008 post-election violence that was published one year ago. 

“Progress on reforming its justice system is essential for Armenia’s further democratic development. There is no viable alternative to a governance system based on the separation of powers and judicial independence, if Armenia is to enjoy lasting stability and prosperity,” the ODIHR Director said at a conference organized with the OSCE Office in Yerevan to assess the progress made in putting the recommendations into practice.

Lenarčič welcomed the ongoing work on a new criminal procedure code and expressed the hope that it will include improved human rights safeguards. 

He also highlighted the need for limiting pre-trial detention in favour of alternative measures of restraint, as well as for stepping up efforts to prevent torture and other ill-treatment in custody.

“The authorities have already taken into account some of our recommendations, but much remains to be done to ensure fair trials, judicial independence and a genuine separation of powers,” Lenarčič said.

He added that Armenia has made significant progress in reforming its legal framework, but the implementation of laws in practice remains a challenge that needs to be addressed. 

In his meetings with Justice Minister Hrair Tovmasyan, Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan, Cassation Court Chairman Arman Mkrtumyan and other senior officials, Lenarčič also stressed the importance of respecting the freedom of assembly and exercising utmost restraint in policing peaceful gatherings.

Speaking about the parliamentary and presidential elections scheduled for 2012, the ODIHR Director urged for a transparent and inclusive process in drafting and adopting the new election code. He said it was crucial to address the lack of public confidence in the election process and the absence of a clear separation between state and party functions, as well as to ensure equal treatment of election contestants.