Within the framework of the second round of review of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, currently the evaluation of implementation of the 2nd (Preventive Measures) and the 5th (Asset Recovery) chapters of the Convention is in process; and for this purpose the assessment team has arrived in the Republic of Armenia. On 17 July, a meeting between the assessment team and civil society organizations was organized within the scope of the visit.
Ms Syuzanna Soghomonyan and Mr. Marat Atovmyan, Anti-Corruption Experts of the Armenian lawyers’ Association as well as Mr. Movses Aristakesyan, Member of the Governing Board of the CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition of Armenia and Mr. Artyom Mesropyan Lawyer/Expert also participated in the meeting.
Representatives of the Association and the Coalition presented their positions and concerns to the assessment team regarding the anti-corruption processes taking place in Armenia. In particular, the Draft Law “On Making Amendments and Addenda to the Law on Corruption Prevention Commission” is already regressing itself in the fight against corruption and envisages such regulations, which in case of adoption, the Commission will be formed in a highly politicized process and will become a fully-controlled structure.
Representatives of the Association and the Coalition also presented the Anti-Corruption Policy Council headed by the Prime Minister, which was recently created, and informed according the assessment of the Association and Coalition was created artificially. This process pursued one simple goal: to remove from the Council to civil society forces that have a serious impact on anti-corruption reforms, including the CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition of Armenia. Moreover, the Association and the Coalition link these processes to non-transparent actions of other CSOs affiliated with the government and which do not agree with the fact that the Coalition is perceived as one of the leaders and initiators of anti-corruption reforms. Regardless of the currently ongoing processes and the fact whether the Coalition is a member of any structure or not, it will continue its activities aimed at the objective of building a happy, harmonious and corruption free society in Armenia.
All the arguments and positions with justifications were presented to the assessment group. Other issues were also discussed at the meeting.