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HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER DISSATISFIED WITH 2013 BUDGET ALLOCATION
tert.am
05.11.12
Human Rights Defender Karen Andreasyan is dissatisfied with the 176
million drams allocated to his office by the 2013 state budget.
Speaking at a budget discussion in the parliament, Andreasyan asked
for additional 11 million.
"Only 50% of the minimal demands of Ombudsman's staff is being
financed by the state budget, the rest is ensured with the foreign
grants which is a blow to my independence," he said, adding that
according to international commitments the national institutes should
be financed if not high at least satisfactory.
The money allocated to the Human Rights Defender's Office is 1.5%
more (3 million drams) as compared with the past year.
The Ombudsman said the foreign grants would have been enough by 2014
but he is not going to apply for foreign grants anymore and if the
state is not going to allocate the money, the office will not have
the quick response service, provincial offices, the number of which
reaches 6.
"It will all close in 2014 and I officially state that we will not
apply for foreign grants and advice the international organizations
to address them to NGOs," he said.
"I am asking for additional money everytime, as I understand the
situation. The computers in our office have been worn out, we were to
sign them out, but are working on them not to be left without them,"
he said.
Andreasyan also said after office's quick response service arrives
5-10 minutes later, the press, people start criticizing them.
"With at least 5-6 employees we are making 350 visits to closed
establishments. The goal of this monitoring is to raise all the
threats and prevent the violence and torture," he said.
Republican party MP Margarit Yesayan said the ombudsman wants to
work better and needs more money for it. Heritage party MP Alexander
Arzumanyan and free MP Edmon Marukyan agreed with the observation.
Marukyan said if the office gets the necessary sum, in 5-6 years less
forensic cases will be against Armenia in international organizations
and the country's image will not be harmed.
tert.am
05.11.12
Human Rights Defender Karen Andreasyan is dissatisfied with the 176
million drams allocated to his office by the 2013 state budget.
Speaking at a budget discussion in the parliament, Andreasyan asked
for additional 11 million.
"Only 50% of the minimal demands of Ombudsman's staff is being
financed by the state budget, the rest is ensured with the foreign
grants which is a blow to my independence," he said, adding that
according to international commitments the national institutes should
be financed if not high at least satisfactory.
The money allocated to the Human Rights Defender's Office is 1.5%
more (3 million drams) as compared with the past year.
The Ombudsman said the foreign grants would have been enough by 2014
but he is not going to apply for foreign grants anymore and if the
state is not going to allocate the money, the office will not have
the quick response service, provincial offices, the number of which
reaches 6.
"It will all close in 2014 and I officially state that we will not
apply for foreign grants and advice the international organizations
to address them to NGOs," he said.
"I am asking for additional money everytime, as I understand the
situation. The computers in our office have been worn out, we were to
sign them out, but are working on them not to be left without them,"
he said.
Andreasyan also said after office's quick response service arrives
5-10 minutes later, the press, people start criticizing them.
"With at least 5-6 employees we are making 350 visits to closed
establishments. The goal of this monitoring is to raise all the
threats and prevent the violence and torture," he said.
Republican party MP Margarit Yesayan said the ombudsman wants to
work better and needs more money for it. Heritage party MP Alexander
Arzumanyan and free MP Edmon Marukyan agreed with the observation.
Marukyan said if the office gets the necessary sum, in 5-6 years less
forensic cases will be against Armenia in international organizations
and the country's image will not be harmed.