There are a number of problems in the Justice sector. Having the aim to raise those problems the management of “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” project today met with Ara Zohrabya, the Chairman of the Chamber of Advocates of the RA and members of the Chamber.
Mr. Karen Zadoyan, the President of the Armenian Lawyer’s Association, “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project Manager presented the project and noted that it is planned to enhance the abilities and capacity of civil society organizations by developing public policies in the spheres of justice education, business as well as other spheres. “We want to provide grants for the development of capacities of CSOs in these areas, so that they are able to launch constructive dialogues with the actors of the spheres and solve the issues in that format.” Mr. Zadoyan also added that currently in the scope of the project, discussions are conducted with the leading universities of the RA. It is planned to select one of these universities through a tender. It is anticipated that the selected as a result of the competition university will have opportunity to develop curricula and educational modules for the CSOs, which will be directed to the development of policies based on the facts of CSOs development, public oversight, constructive dialogue and coalition-building issues. The CSOs that will pass through this educational process, would have the opportunity to participate in grant competitions announced in the scope of the project.
In addition, Mr. Zadoyan stressed that the program provides a direct and immediate contact with citizens, in justice and other areas through introducing best international experience: identify and find solutions to the sectoral problems arising from the demands of society.
Karen Zadoyan also addressed the impact of CSOs Anti-Corruption Coalition of Armenia on social and political life of our country. He stressed that the Anti-Corruption agenda is mainly formed by the coalition, together with the government. “We have carried out serious structural changes including criminalization of illicit enrichment, introduction of the institute for whistleblowers protection etc.,” Mr. Zadoyan said.
Chairman of the Chamber of Advocates Mr. Ara Zohrabyan highlighted the importance of the project and expressed willingness to cooperate. “We are ready and willing to cooperate.I am sure this cooperation will be a benefit for the society,” he said.
Mr. Zohrabyan highlighted a number of problems. In particular, he said, that practice shows that there are areas where the advocates face professional problems, specifically in the tax investigation cases. “We often encounter situations when the lawyer who is well aware of the criminal proceedings is not aware of tax relations, and vice versa. We are going to develop a curricula and a module to solve this problem by training the advocates. If we fail to train lawyers in this field we shall always have problems,” the Chairman of CA said. Karen Zadoyan proposed to conduct awareness aimed at solution of this problem.
In addition, Mr. Zohrabyan noted that the Chamber has set a goal to raise the prestige and the role odf the advocate as well as the public consciousness.
Also it was offered to select definite legal topics for the training modules and the Chamber would support with its experts team.
At the end of the meeting the parties agreed to make such working format meetings more intensive.
The “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project is implemented with the financial support of the European Union by the “Armenian Lawyers’ Association” NGO in cooperation with its partners; Agora Central Europe o.p.s (an NGO from the Czech Republic), Armenian Center for Democratic Education-CIVITAS, “International Center for Human Development” Public Organization, SME Cooperation Association and Union of Communities of Armenia.
