OSCE promotes discussion of human rights-related aspects in draft amendments to Armenia’s Constitution

The OSCE Office in Yerevan supported a workshop in Yerevan on 23 October 2015 to promote discussions, analysis and reflections on human rights-related articles contained within the draft package of amendments to Armenia’s Constitution.

Organized by the OSCE Office in co-operation with the Armenian Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) Office, the workshop brought together representatives from civil society, state institutions, media, as well as from the European Ombudsman Institute, local embassies and international organizations.

“The Constitution as the basis of law directly affects the entire legal framework of the country and thus has implications for all spheres of the country’s development,” said Andrey Sorokin, Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. “That is why we strongly believe that public participation is not only of crucial importance – it is a necessary prerequisite for a successful and full-fledged reform process based on national consensus.”

Participants were also welcomed by the Armenian Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan, US Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia Ambassador Piotr Switalski and the Secretary General of the European Ombudsman Institute Josef Siegele.

The draft package was proposed by the Armenian President and will be put to a national referendum on 6 December 2015.