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CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES 'PROMISE BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR ARMENIA'
By Ruzanna Stepanian
Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
July 5 2006
President Robert Kocharian reiterated on Wednesday that he believes
his recently enacted constitutional amendments will help to turn
Armenia into a democratic and rule-of-law country where human rights
are respected by the state.
"They open new prospects for the comprehensive development of our
country and people, ensure more balance activities of various branches
of government, and boost respect for human rights," he said in a
written address to the nation.
The statement was dedicated to the 11th anniversary of the passage in
a controversial 1995 referendum of Armenia's post-Soviet constitution
that has been widely criticized for giving sweeping powers to
the president of the republic at the expense of the judicial and
legislative branches. July 5 is a public holiday in the country.
Some of the presidential powers were curtailed as a result of
last November's nationwide referendum on Kocharian's Western-backed
constitutional reform. Its significance was stressed by Prime Minister
in a separate message to Armenians.
The United States and the European Union have likewise praised
the reform. However, the manner in which the Armenian authorities
handled the November referendum overshadowed their assurances that
the constitutional amendments bode well for Armenia's democratization.
According to official vote results, almost two thirds of the country's
2.3 million eligible voters took part in the referendum and over
93 percent of them endorsed the changes. However, the record-high
voter turnout reported by the Kocharian-controlled Central Election
Commission was at odds with unusually deserted polling stations
witnesses by journalists and observers on voting day. The Armenian
opposition estimated the turnout at below 16 percent, alleging massive
vote rigging.
Most ordinary citizens randomly interviewed by RFE/RL in central
Yerevan said they boycotted the referendum. Many were therefore
cynical about the reform's impact on their lives.
I don't see any positive change. Things have gotten even worse,"
one woman said, referring to the situation with the rule of law and
human rights protection.
"I didn't take part in the referendum but closely followed debates
[preceding it]," said an elderly man who had trouble remembering
what event Armenia was marking on Wednesday. He said he boycotted
the vote because, "As Russians say, the law is on the books but not
for everyone."
By Ruzanna Stepanian
Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
July 5 2006
President Robert Kocharian reiterated on Wednesday that he believes
his recently enacted constitutional amendments will help to turn
Armenia into a democratic and rule-of-law country where human rights
are respected by the state.
"They open new prospects for the comprehensive development of our
country and people, ensure more balance activities of various branches
of government, and boost respect for human rights," he said in a
written address to the nation.
The statement was dedicated to the 11th anniversary of the passage in
a controversial 1995 referendum of Armenia's post-Soviet constitution
that has been widely criticized for giving sweeping powers to
the president of the republic at the expense of the judicial and
legislative branches. July 5 is a public holiday in the country.
Some of the presidential powers were curtailed as a result of
last November's nationwide referendum on Kocharian's Western-backed
constitutional reform. Its significance was stressed by Prime Minister
in a separate message to Armenians.
The United States and the European Union have likewise praised
the reform. However, the manner in which the Armenian authorities
handled the November referendum overshadowed their assurances that
the constitutional amendments bode well for Armenia's democratization.
According to official vote results, almost two thirds of the country's
2.3 million eligible voters took part in the referendum and over
93 percent of them endorsed the changes. However, the record-high
voter turnout reported by the Kocharian-controlled Central Election
Commission was at odds with unusually deserted polling stations
witnesses by journalists and observers on voting day. The Armenian
opposition estimated the turnout at below 16 percent, alleging massive
vote rigging.
Most ordinary citizens randomly interviewed by RFE/RL in central
Yerevan said they boycotted the referendum. Many were therefore
cynical about the reform's impact on their lives.
I don't see any positive change. Things have gotten even worse,"
one woman said, referring to the situation with the rule of law and
human rights protection.
"I didn't take part in the referendum but closely followed debates
[preceding it]," said an elderly man who had trouble remembering
what event Armenia was marking on Wednesday. He said he boycotted
the vote because, "As Russians say, the law is on the books but not
for everyone."