Annual Report 2009

ANNUAL REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ARMENIAN YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION FOR 2009

CONTENT

ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE ARMENIAN YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
INTRODUCTION
MISSION AND VALUES
AYLA TEAM
COOPERATION
AYLA PROJECTS AND IMPLEMENTED ACTIVITIES
SUCCESS STORIES
STATISTICS OF IMPLEMENTED ACTIVITIES
THE EXTERNAL AUDIT CONCLUSION AND FINANCIAL REPROTS ON THE FINANCIAL ASSETS OF THE ARMENIAN YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION FOR 2009

INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT
INDEPENDENT AUDIT CONCLUSION
BALANCE SHEET
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL RESULTS

AYLA BOARD
CONTACTS

ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE ARMENIAN YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION

Dear Friends, Partners and Associates,

We have the pleasure to introduce to your attention the Annual Report on the activities of the Armenian Young Lawyers Association for 2009. It briefly refers to the organization, its current activities, projects and financial reports. The AYLA attaches importance to making its activities transparent and accessible, and thus publishes the Annual Report and disseminates it among the interested individuals and entities, as well as ensures the organization’s transparency and reporting for the beneficiaries, members, partners, stakeholders and donor organizations. This is one of the basic principles for making the organization’s activities more effective.

The year 2009 was rather creative and productive for the AYLA. The organization implemented 6 divers project, during which the organization continued providing free legal aid services to the population of the Republic of Armenia through the network of its offices and newly opened Advocacy and Assistance Centers and Reception Centers, including support in the cases that include corruption risks. Considerable activities were realized with respect to dissemination of accessible information on the citizens’ rights among the population.

Attaching much importance to struggle against the corruption in the Republic of Armenia, the AYLA worked successfully to ensure system level and procedural reforms as well. Project “Multi-Component monitoring in the Notaries Offices of the Republic of Armenia” is notable among the implemented projects. Based on the results of this project the AYLA elaborated and introduced to the attention of corresponding governmental bodies recommendations on the reforms of the sphere.

In addition, considerable activities were realized with respect to dissemination of accessible information on the citizens’ rights among the population.

The Association organized a number of training courses aimed to enhance the professional knowledge of the young lawyers, as well as the traditional scientific conference on advocacy for the law students, published, and disseminated the monthly Legal Newsletter, which is already popular among the readers. This year AYLA carried out considerable activities aimed at raising the role and importance of the Jessup Competition in Armenia. In result the Armenian team’s memorial was awarded two fifth prizes in the international round of the competition in Washington DC, US.

The passed year was also notable for the AYLA as the organization established partner relations with a number of governmental and local self governmental bodies, law enforcement bodies as well as similar international organizations.

I would like to express my gratitude to all the AYLA members and staff, our supporters, colleagues, stakeholders, beneficiaries and donors for their support and assistance. We appreciate everyone’s work and believe that their activities assist to achieve the desired results, and thus provide us opportunity to work with greater devotion.

Currently the Armenian Young Lawyers Association carries out definite steps aimed at development of democracy in the Republic of Armenia and consolidation of the legal state. The organization shall further direct its strength and activities to the protection of the rights and interests of the society members, as well as to the development of the professional skills and capacity of the lawyers of new generation.

Karen Zadoyan,

Advocate,

President of Armenian Young Lawyers Association

NTRODUCTION

The Armenian Young Lawyers Association was established in 1995 in Yerevan. During 15 years of activities, the organization was highly appreciated by its beneficiaries, partners and stakeholders, and currently has its definite place in the legal field of the Republic.

Since its establishment, the organization determined its mission and established rather pretentious goals and objectives, and started to work in the legal and public fields of the Republic of Armenia having the aim to protect the rights of the population, development of the young lawyers, and establishment of the civil society.

In result of rational work the organization soon established partnership relations with a number of state, non-governmental, international, and foreign organizations, and started implementation of various projects derived from its strategic directions and aimed at achievement of its goals. In some years, the organization’s services became accessible nearly all over the republic due to the network of the AYLA offices, which operate in the Republic of Armenia Marzes. Currently the AYLA has six regional branches that are located in Yerevan as well as in Gyumri, Vanadzor, Kapan, Gavar, and Tavush Marzes. During 2009 AYLA started operating of 4 (four) Advocacy and Assistance Centers in Aragatsotn, Kotayk, Vayots Dzor, and Tavush Marzes of the RA and 3 (three) Advocacy and Assistance Reception Centers in Ararat, Talin and Aparan cities.

In 2003, having the aim to raise the efficiency of the projects directed to the development of law students, as well as to expand their involvement in AYLA activities and to raise the level of their legal consciousness, AYLA established its Law Students’ Division (LSD). The activities of LSD are aimed to facilitate introduction of the international legal experience and improvement of the quality and efficiency of the legal education in the law schools and law departments of the other institutes in the Republic of Armenia. AYLA possesses a rich legal library, and its services are available for young lawyers, as well as all interested individuals in Yerevan and in marzes. AYLA has elaborated and launched a bilingual official website www.ayla.am to disseminate information on the organization and to ensure the transparency of its activities.

The main directions of the AYLA activities are protection of human rights, raising the level of legal awareness among the population, assistance to the establishment and development of the Advocacy institute in Armenia, promotion of judiciary and legal reforms, as well as development and education of the lawyers of new generation and establishment of the civil society.

III. AYLA MISSION AND VALUES

The Mission of Armenian Young Lawyers Association is to develop a new generation of highly professional lawyers, having a modern outlook and moral values, as well as to promote the establishment of rule of law, and formation of the legal culture in the society.

The values, which the Armenian Young Lawyers Association has adopted since its establishment, are:

Modern legal culture based upon the heritage of centuries old Armenian values.
Legally educated society, which is aware of its rights.
Protected human rights.
Highly professional lawyers and advocates, possessing a new and modern methodology.
Powerful and a strong civil society.

AYLA TEAM

Success of the Armenian Young Lawyers Association is explained with high professionalism of its core team, and knowledgeable and flexible young lawyers, advocates, and other specialists who share the mission and values of the organization. They continuously and with great devotion carry out activities, bring new breath to the structure and step forward with new undertakings and professionalism for the achievement of the Organization’s Mission. The AYLA team consistently works towards the development of its professional qualities and skills to be in conformity with the demands of the modern world. The team realizes the importance of the ideology and values of the structure and always relies on them during their work.

COOPERATION

AYLA has established partner relations with over fifty non-governmental, as well as with more than a dozen of international and foreign organizations. The Association cooperates with different state bodies, the RA Government, the National Assembly, the staff of the President of the Republic of Armenia, as well as with the institutes of judiciary system and other structures.

The Embassy of the United States of America in Armenia was founded in 1992. The Embassy realizes assistance programs that are aimed at the development of an open and pluralistic civil society, a functioning market economy, and a stable political environment in the region. The U.S. Embassy is responsible for maintaining day-to-day relations between the U.S. and Armenian governments, and for providing consular services to citizens.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is an independent federal government agency that conducts the US foreign assistance and humanitarian aid programs worldwide. In cooperation with local private and non-governmental organizations, USAID reveals the needs and elaborates strategies aimed at providing support for these countries. USAID/Armenia program is carried out through contracts with the US private sector and volunteer organizations, as well as through grants in the spheres provided by the USAID Mission in Armenia. The vision for USAID’s Mission to Armenia is collaborating with Armenian partners to achieve a more equitably prosperous, democratic, and stable country, which will provide corresponding possibilities to its citizens.

Casals & Associates, Inc. (Casals) is an international development and strategic communications firm delivering groundbreaking solutions to social, institutional and political challenges, and works globally addressing democracy and governance, rule of law and justice, conflict management and recovery, health and other urgent issues facing societies.

The Mobilizing Action Against Corruption (MAAC) Activity is a component of the U.S. development assistance program to the Republic of Armenia, aimed at reducing corruption in Armenia by the following means: providing Armenians with opportunities that would enable them to help combat corrupt practices that they encounter; changing social attitudes and behavior among youth and adults to help them become attuned to the consequences of corruption and more likely to oppose or confront corruption; and enabling systems-level changes to prevent or reduce corruption.

The Nederlandse Organisatie voor Internationale Bijstand, or Oxfam Novib for short, was set up on 23 March 1956. Oxfam Novib was intended to become an organization that would engage the entire Dutch population. That is why all the civic organizations and political parties of the day were invited to become members. In order to increase the effectiveness of its work, Oxfam Novib joined Oxfam International in 1994. Oxfam International is an alliance of 12 independent organizations that work together on the basis of the conviction that poverty and exclusion are unjust and unnecessary.

Oxfam Novib, a member of Oxfam International, is fighting for a just world without poverty. Together with people, organizations, businesses and governments, through projects and lobby, locally and internationally, in cooperation with counterparts in developing countries and their networks aimed at insuring Basic rights for everyone and enabling people to claim their basic rights. Oxfam Novib’s work is aimed at enabling poor people to claim their basic rights: Right to basic social services, Right to life and safety, Right to social and political participation, and Right to identity.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Office in Yerevan started operations on 9 February 2000. The mandate of the Office is broad, covering all aspects of OSCE activities in the politico-military, economic and environmental, as well as human dimensions. The Office contributes to the development of democratic institutions in the country, strengthening civil society and promoting OSCE standards and principles.

The “LEGAL ALLIANCE” Law Firm was established in 1997 with the aim of providing quality legal services to its clients and becoming a leading firm in the legal market. The Firm has been developed dynamically since its inception and it now meets the demanding legal requirements of top domestic and international commercial firms. “LEGAL ALLIANCE” Law Firm is now a pioneering law firm in Armenia, providing accessible and highly qualified legal services to individuals and business entities. The Law Firm has a network of offices, which operate nationwide and provides access to its services in the RA provinces as well. “LEGAL ALLIANCE” Law Firm is a company providing comprehensive legal services to private individuals as well as businessmen. It works with major multinational corporations and financial institutions, as well as with a broad range of clients including the family and private businesses.

The Law Foundation of Armenia was founded in 2003. The main goals of the Foundation are to assist to the implementation of legal and judicial reforms in the Republic of Armenia, assist to the establishment and development of the advocacy institute in the republic, as well as to improve the professional skills and raise the role of advocates. It also supports to the establishment of the law schools and the law faculties of other institutes of RA, and promotes to the improvement of the quality and efficacy of legal education in the law schools and the law faculties of other institutes.

The International Law Students Association (ILSA) is a non-profit association of students and young lawyers dedicated to the study and promotion of international law. The Association joins the resources of all law schools and strives to make them accessible for all member organizations. Its history is closely linked with its flagship activity, the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. Since its creation, ILSA has been an important influence in ensuring that future generations of law students learn the significance of international law. Currently through its programs and support, ILSA provides essential educational resources to future generations of lawyers and other international professionals worldwide, which will contribute to the development of world order and international law.

International Institute for the Study of Culture and Education University of Lower Silesia (the Republic of Poland) is an interdepartmental academic and research institute located at a non-public institution of higher education, the University of Lower Silesia (DSW) in Wroclaw. Founded in October 2003, IISCE responds to the processes of transnational integration with projects that increase international mobility, intercultural understanding and citizen participation through education.

The International Visegrad Fund is an international organization based in Bratislava, founded by the governments of the countries of the Visegrad Group (V4) – the Czech Republic, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Poland, and the Slovak Republic, on 9 June, 2000.

The purpose of the Fund is to facilitate and promote the development of closer cooperation among V4 countries (and of V4 countries with other countries, especially but not exclusively non-EU member states in Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans and the South Caucasus) through the support of common cultural, scientific and educational projects, youth exchanges, cross-border projects and tourism promotion.

The Agora Central Europe (Czech Republic) civic association was founded in 1998 with the aim of helping to enhance communication between local governments, central government bodies and citizens.

Within this effort, the Association pursues consulting, advisory, educational, moderating and other activities. It publishes materials about its work, produces and spreads documentary filmy, etc. It organizes public meetings, workshops, social and cultural events, and pursues various other activities including work witch youth, aiming to meet its objectives.

The European Young Bar Association (EYBA) is a non-profit making, multinational young lawyers association founded on 23 May 1993 in Prague. The group now represents the interests of over 200,000 young lawyers and is the world’s largest young lawyers group. EYBA was established to encourage links between and to promote the interests and welfare of young lawyers throughout geographical Europe. AYLA joined The European Young Bar Association in 1998.

AYLA constantly consolidates its links with the partners, and strives to establish and promotes the establishment of new cooperation between AYLA and other organizations. The AYLA external relations are one of the assets of the structure. AYLA enjoys confidence among the partner organizations and this is a guarantee for consolidation of the links and establishment of new relationships.

AYLA attaches much importance and appreciates cooperation with Mass Media, which is indispensable for ensuring the efficiency and transparency of the organizations’ activities, as well as informing the beneficiaries. The Armenian Mass Media impartially covers all the events organized by AYLA.

AYLA PROJECTS AND REALIZED ACTIVITIES

“My Right to be heard”: AYLA started implementation of this project funded by Oxfam Novib (Netherlands) in April 2009. In the framework of the project the socially vulnerable layers of the population and insecure groups of the population as well as people with limited access to legal aid received free legal advice services, as well as were provided free court representation. The lawyers, law students and interested individuals were provided free legal and information resources. The project includes organization of the regular conference on urgent issues of justice and advocacy. In addition 30 (thirty) titles of information leaflets/pamphlets on fundamental and everyday human rights and the mechanisms for their protection were published and disseminated among the population having the aim to raise the level of legal consciousness of the people. In 2009 the AYLA Yerevan office and the regional branches organized public awareness seminars on fundamental and everyday human rights and the mechanisms for their protection.

“Establishment and Operation of Advocacy and Assistance Center in Ijevan City of Tavush Marz”: AYLA started implementation of project on 1 October 2008. The project funded by the USAID Mobilizing Action Against Corruption Activity was aimed at establishing and operation of an Advocacy and Assistance Center (AAC) in Ijevan city of Tavush Marz of the RA. The lawyers of the AAC provide free legal advice services to the population of the Marz in particular providing them opportunity for reporting corruption and directing complaints to GOAM agencies; provide legal counsel to support their claims against the government and intensify public focus on how the Public Prosecutor and the courts handle corruption cases; identify shortcomings in legislation addressing corruption and in implementing legislation and decrees; identify corrupt activities in GOAM institutions, based on first-person reports of victimization. The advocates involved in the framework of the project provided free legal representation for the citizens on civil, administrative and criminal cases. During the project implementation special attention was paid to raising the anticorruption awareness and education. In this relation 10 (ten) titles of information leaflets/flyers on anti-corruption issues, including the citizens’ rights with respect to corruption and the mechanisms how to protect these rights were published and disseminated among the population. Training of trainers on anti-corruption issues, including the citizens’ rights with respect to corruption and the mechanisms how to protect these rights was organized. Public awareness seminars about anti-corruption issues, including the citizens’ rights with respect to corruption and the mechanisms how to protect these rights were organized as well.

“Establishment and Operation of Advocacy and Assistance Centers and Reception Centers in Hrazdan, Yeghegnadzor, Ararat, Ashtarak, Aparan, and Talin Cities”: AYLA started implementation of project in April 2009. The project funded by the USAID Mobilizing Action Against Corruption Activity was aimed at establishing and operation of 4 (four) Advocacy and Assistance Centers in Aragatsotn, Kotayk, Vayots Dzor and Ararat Marzes of the RA and 2 (two) Advocacy and Assistance Reception Centers in Aparan and Talin Cities. The lawyers of the AAC and AARCs provide free legal advice services to the population of the Marz in particular providing them opportunity for reporting corruption and directing complaints to GOAM agencies; provide legal counsel to support their claims against the government and intensify public focus on how the Public Prosecutor and the courts handle corruption cases; identify shortcomings in legislation addressing corruption and in implementing legislation and decrees; identify corrupt activities in GOAM institutions, based on first-person reports of victimization. The advocates involved in the framework of the project provided free legal representation for the citizens on civil, administrative and criminal cases. During the project implementation special attention was paid to raising the anticorruption awareness and education. In this relation 40 (forty) titles of information leaflets/flyers on anti-corruption issues, including the citizens’ rights with respect to corruption and the mechanisms how to protect these rights were published and disseminated among the population. Training of trainers on anti-corruption issues, including the citizens’ rights with respect to corruption and the mechanisms how to protect these rights was organized. Public awareness seminars about anti-corruption issues, including the citizens’ rights with respect to corruption and the mechanisms how to protect these rights were organized as well.

“Integration of European Values of the Anti-Corruption Sphere for Armenia: Practice of Visegrad Group Countries”: AYLA implemented the project with financial support of VISEGRAD FUND on reimbursement basis, in March through November 2009. In the framework of the project a seminar having the main goal to introduce to the attention of the participants and integrate the experience of Visegrad group countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary) was organized in Yerevan. Further a group of trainees participated in the study tour to the Czech Republic and Poland where they were hosted by Agora Central Europe NGO and International Institute for the Study of Culture and Education University of Lower Silesia respectively to get acquainted with the anticorruption experience of V4 Countries experience of cooperation of the NGOs (CSOs) with corresponding state bodies in anticorruption sphere, realized reforms in Poland and Czech Republic, experience of institutional struggle against corruption, public participation in anticorruption activities, freedom of information, the existing cooperation of state bodies and NGOs in anticorruption sphere, public monitoring and audit and other, on the way to integration to the European Union. Further the participants elaborated recommendations based on the anticorruption experience of Poland and Czech Republic, which should be implemented in the Republic of Armenia as well.

“Multi-Component Monitoring in the Notaries Offices of the Republic of Armenia” AYLA implemented this OSCE Yerevan Office supported project in April – November 2009. The project was aimed to increase and deepen public interest towards the notaries’ services system and procedures, through conducting independent and unbiased monitoring and publicizing the monitoring results. It was also aimed to improve the existing situation of the notaries’ services to decrease the corruption risks and other negative occurrences, as well as to improve capacity and abilities of the civil society non-governmental organizations in monitoring of the corrupt occurrences and elimination of such occurrences. During the project implementation a survey aimed to specify and define the problems was conducted among citizens using notaries’ services. After identification of the problems, a questionnaire for realization of a survey of direct observation of the work of the notaries’ offices, testing and improvement of the questionnaire was realized. Further, 30 (thirty) observers that were involved in project implementation realized observation mission in the notary offices of Yerevan, as well as in Shirak, Syunik, Tavush, and Armavir Marzes of the RA. Based on the results of monitoring the project experts elaborated recommendations on system and procedural changes of the sphere, which were introduced to the attention of corresponding bodies and were appreciated by the latter. It is due to mention that the Report on Findings of Public Monitoring Implemented in the Frames of Comprehensive Monitoring of Notary Public Offices was published as well.

“The 2009 Philip Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition”

Students from the law schools and law departments of other institutes participated in the 2009 Jessup Competition. The winner of the Armenian National Round of, the students’ team of the law department of Yerevan State University took part in the International Round of the 2009 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in Washington on 22-28 February 2009. It is due to mention that the achievements of the Armenian team in 2009 were the best in the nine years history of Armenian Jessup.

The Armenian team was the 41st in the range of the overall points won by the teams, and the 49th in result of the victories against other teams. These are the best results shown by the Armenian teams during the 9 years of participation in the Jessup Competition. The Armenian Team ranked 5th in the 2009 “Richard R. Baxter Award,” the team’s Memorial for the Respondent was recognized the fifth among top ten Memorials in this nomination. The team also was awarded “The Alona E. Evans Award,” which is presented to the top five (5) scoring teams based on Total Memorials Scores in the International Tournament for excellence in Memorial writing at the International Tournament.

This year The Law Foundation of Armenia, the Armenian Young Lawyers Association and “LEGAL ALLIANCE” Law Firm, were co-organizers of the Competition. The National Round was organized with the financial support of the US Embassy in Armenia. The Judicial Department of the Republic of Armenia assisted to organization of the Competition, and provided Court rooms.

In 2009 the National Administrator of the Armenian Rounds of Jessup Competition conducted meetings with the students of the law departments of the RA Universities and institutes in Yerevan and in the Marzes aimed to increase the interest of the students and to attach importance to the Competition. During the meetings the National Administrator introduced to the attention of the students information on the Competition, and provided printed materials. They also referred to the problems that hinder the law students to participate in the Competition and tried to find solutions.

Sixth Scientific Conference for the Law Students “Advocacy: Current State and Prospects for its Development in the Republic of Armenia”

The oral round of the Sixth Scientific Conference for the law students “Advocacy: Current State and Prospects for its Development in the Republic of Armenia,” for the law students which was organized jointly by the Armenian Young Lawyers Association, The Law Foundation of Armenia and “Legal Alliance” Law Firm took place in the Central Office of the Armenian Young Lawyers Association in Yerevan on 27 November 2009. 49 students from the law schools of Yerevan and from the regions had applied for participation in the conference. 23 applicants introduced their reports in time. In compliance with the official rules of the conference, the authors of the best 5 reports were authorized to take part in the final oral round. Sirush Muradyan, 4th year student from the law department of Gyumri Management University won the prize for the “Best Written Report” of the Scientific Conference. Tatevik Dallakyan, 1st year student of Magistrate from “European Regional Educational Academy” was recognized the third in the oral round. Marine Kocharyan, 3rd year student of “Gitelik” University from Yeghegnadzor, won the second prize. Marianna Arustamyan, 5th year student from the law department of French University in Armenia Foundation was recognized “The Best Oralist” and the winner of the Competition. Tatevik Dallakyan, 1st year student of Magistrate from “European Regional Educational Academy” and Lusine Manukyan, 4th year student of Gavar State University were awarded the “Special Prize” of the scientific conference established by the AYLA President. Marianna Arustamyan, 5th year student from the law department of French University in Armenia Foundation was recognized “The Best Oralist” and the winner of the Competition. The youth program of Public Radio LyunSe, “Noyan Tapan” News Agency, as well as “Panorama” Internet website covered the work of the Conference.

Participation in Millennium Challenge Account – Armenia Program

On 29 September 2009, Mr. Karen Zadoyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Law Foundation of Armenia, Mr. Marat Atovmyan, AYLA Board Member, Head of the AYLA Human Rights, European Integration and International Cooperation Committee, Chairman of Progress” Social Research Center” NGO, and Miss Syuzanna Soghomonyan, Lawyer/Assistant to the AYLA President were elected members of the Stakeholders’ Committee of MCA-Armenia SNCO.

In addition, the AYLA President is member of MCA-Armenia’s Governing Council. Millennium Challenge Account – Armenia (MCA-Armenia) is a state not-for-profit organization established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia and is responsible for transparent administration of realization of the Compact signed between the United States of America Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and the Government of the Republic of Armenia. MCA-Armenia Program Stakeholders’ Committee (SC) ensures civil society participation in all the stages of Program implementation to guarantee its transparent and unbiased implementation. It provides opportunity to the members of the civil society, as well as the privet sector, state and local self government bodies to provide recommendations and opinions to AMCA-Armenia on implementation of the Compact.

Curriculum Development Training Course on Integrity in Public Administration in Izmir, Turkey

On 24-26 August, Karen Zadoyan, the President of Armenian Young Lawyers Association NGO and Marat Atovmyan, AYLA Board Member participated in “Curriculum Development Training Course on Integrity in Public Administration,” which took place in Izmir, Turkey. The training was organized by “TIRI” non-governmental organization, which has offices in Great Britain and Jerusalem. Fourteen participants from Armenia, Kirghizstan, Georgia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan attended the training. Dr. Harutyun Aleksanyan, Head of Educational Resource Development (HERD), Dr. Dimitar Penkov, Executive Director of the Institute for Public Administration (Bulgaria), and Dr. Rumen Stefanov, from the same institute, conducted the training. Participants discussed the moral and ethical grounds of public administration, the role of education for establishment of these grounds, as well as some aspects of anticorruption activities, peculiarities of human resource administration, the issues of conflict of interests, the issues of curriculum development of effective training course on public administration, and other issues.

9 December – International Anti-Corruption Day

By Resolution 58/4 of 31 October 2003, the UN General Assembly designated 9 December as International Anti-Corruption Day. On this day the Armenian Young Lawyers Association NGO organized a peaceful march dedicated to the International Anti-Corruption Day. The march was held in the administrative region of Center Community of Yerevan. The march started at 16:00 near the AYLA Central Office located on 7 Nalbandyan Street. The Participants marched through the streets of city carrying posters with anticorruption posters and disseminated information leaflets on different spheres of the protection of human rights. They called to the public at large to join the struggle against corruption and to prevent the corrupt activities in all their occurrences. The peaceful march started at 16:00 near the AYLA Central Office and passed through the Republic Square near the administrative building of the RA Government – the Ministry of Communication and Transport – Marriott Armenia Hotel – Amiryan Street – Mashtots Avenue – Sayat Nova Avenue – Abovyan Street – Pushkin Street and finish at 7 Nalbandyan Street. Anticorruption events under the motto “International Community and Corruption. Corrupt Occurrences and Struggle against them in Armenia” were held in Advocacy and Assistance Centers of Kotayk, Aragatsotn, Vayots Dzor, and Tavush Marzes as well as in Advocacy and Assistance Reception Centers of Ararat, Talin, and Aparan cities. The main goal of the mentioned activities was to involve the public at large in struggle against corruption and to inform the citizens about the mechanisms for the protection of their infringed rights.

Human Rights Day: 10 December

In 1950, all States and interested organizations were invited by the UN General Assembly to observe 10 December as Human Rights Day (resolution 423(V)). The Day marks the anniversary of the Assembly’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. The day was celebrated in the Republic of Armenia as well. On this day, the “Armenian Young Lawyers Association” NGO organized an action in front of all entrances of the metro stations of Yerevan “Karen Demirchyan Metropolitan.” The AYLA members and volunteers disseminated among the citizens around 15.000 information leaflets on the protection of human rights in different spheres that were published by the organization.

Activities of the AYLA Cultural Club in 2009

The Cultural and Sport Clubs of the Armenian Young Lawyers Association continued their activities in 2009 as well.

Great number of the AYLA members, volunteers, associates and partners participated in different events organized by the clubs.

In 2009, the AYLA Cultural Club organized visits to the house-museum of the famous Armenian poet Paruyr Sevak; a 13th century Armenian Apostolic Church Monastery Noravank; Hayravank Monastery, which was built in the IX century; Jermuk waterfall; It organized a number of cultural and educational meetings and round tables as well.

In 2009 the AYLA Sport Club organized football matches for its members, volunteers and partners. It also organized a volleyball and basketball match for its volunteers, members and staff, which took place in the sports hall of Yeghegnadzor Sport School.

VII. SUCCESS STORIES

In 2009 AYLA implemented projects “Establishment and Operation of Advocacy and Assistance Center in Ijevan City of Tavush Marz,” “Establishment and Operation of Advocacy and Assistance Centers and Reception Centers in Hrazdan, Yeghegnadzor, Ararat, Ashtarak, Aparan, and Talin Cities,” funded by the USAID MAAC Activity, as well as project “My Right to be heard” funded by Oxfam Novib (Netherlands), which contained component of struggle against corruption and had achieved certain success in the protection of human rights and interests. Below are some success stories of the AYLA Branches and Centers operated by the AYLA in the framework of these projects.

AYLA Yerevan Office

Only one Note

In November 2009, Mr. Zaven Balayan, citizen of the Republic of Armenia applied to the AYLA Yerevan office with a request to restore his infringed rights. The citizen had suffered in result of illegal act of “Gok Job” LLC. Mr. Balayan believed to the promises on good future and signed a contract on providing paid services with the director of the LLC to participate in the LLC’s project “Au-pair”. The main objective of this project was sending the participants of the project to France where they should be provided jobs. In compliance with the contract on providing paid services the client: Mr. Balayan had to transfer 300 USD to the LLC. And Mr. Balayan transferred 300 USD on the account of “Gok Job” LLC. However, after some time the client realized that the counterpart did not undertake any activity to meet its obligations. Thus Mr. Balayan decided to terminate the contract and request his money back. He applied to the LLC for termination of the contract and to receive his money back. Yet the LLC refused to do this.

So Mr. Balayan applied to the AYLA Yerevan office for support. The AYLA lawyers decided to try solving the problem trough alternative dispute resolution, without applying to the court. The AYLA lawyers sent a note to the LLC explaining the infringement of the law, which they made, and asking to meet the requirements of the law, terminate the contract and return the sum to the client.

After a week Mr. Zaven Badalyan called to the AYLA Yerevan Office and informed that after receiving the note the LLC returned his money.

AYLA Kapan Office

Protection of the Consumer’s Right

Mrs. Anna Harutyunyan from Kapan city, who lives in 29 Shahumyan str. apt. 12, applied to the AYLA Kapan office and informed that at the end of the work day on 19.11.2009 she had received a payment order referring to the case number SD 0249/03/09 dated 12.11.2009. She said that she did not agree with that decision. Mrs. Harutyunyan declared that she had never been the subscriber of the phone number (077) 16-55-59 (cellular phone), which was indicated in the payment order, and thus she was not obliged to pay the debt of 115 429 AMD (one hundred and fifteen thousand four hundred and twenty–nine Armenian Drams – about 245 EURO), as she learnt about it only after she had received the payment order. Mrs. Harutyunyan insisted that the applicant had never applied to her asking and/or requesting to pay the debt. She also said that she had never signed a contract with the applicant with respect to that phone number.

After learning Anna’s arguments and analyzing the documents of the case the lawyer of the AYLA Kapan office introduced arguments referring to this payment order to the Court of General Jurisdiction of Syunik Marz (case number SD 0249/03/09). The arguments were introduced in two weeks’ period after receiving the payment order, and hence to it the decision of the payment order did not enter into force.

Tavush Marz Advocacy and Assistance Center

The Citizen’s Labor Rights Restored

Mrs. Irina Mkhitaryan, teacher informatics of the secondary school of the village Aknaghbyur of Tavush Marz applied to Ijevan AAC in May 2009.

She informed that on 1 September 2008, she had signed a one year labor contract. However on 20 May 2009, the director of the school had taken back the teacher’s copy of the contract with reasoning of making some amendments in the text. Further the director forced her to write an application on termination of the contract. On 20 May 2009, on the insistence of the director, Mrs. Mkhitaryan wrote an application dated 31.05.2009 and handed it to him. Further she understood what was going on and asked the director to return the application, but the latter refused and dismissed her from work. It was obvious that the director striving to dismiss an unwanted employee violated the Labor Law of the Republic of Armenia. Tavush AAC sent Mrs. Mkhitaryan’s application to Tavush Marz Administration with a request to study the documents, reveal violations and solve the existing situation. A day after the director was called to the Marz Administration for explanations, and just the following day the teacher was restored in her position and worked till the end of the Contractual period.

Talin Advocacy and Assistance Reception Center of the RA Aragatsotn Marz AAC

Infringed Rights and the Lost Trust of the Pensioner Restored

A beneficiary had applied to Talin Advocacy and Assistance Reception Center of the RA Aragatsotn Marz with a request of explanation of his rights on the issue of the order of reparations of his bank deposits. He whished to stay incognito and asked not to disclose the names of the organizations, which refer to his case as well as their location. Such approach is aimed to preserve the beneficiary’s, as well as those organizations’ honor; despite the fact his rights had been infringed. The beneficiary does not want to discredit him, as well as those organizations, motivating this with the fact that “the person on whose fault all this occurred is simply an inferior employee, and did this on the assumption of simple human greediness.”

The AAC provided legal support to the client, and explained the Decision 352-N of the RA Government “” of 10 June 1993 “On Approving the Order of Reimbursement for Deposits in USSR Savings Banks ASSR Republic Bank before June 10, 1993 by Citizens-Depositors.” At the same time, on the assumption of the fact that the beneficiary had not kept the corresponding documentation, the AAC verified in the corresponding regional social service agency the fact whether the beneficiary was included in the lists of the families that receive family allowance and uninterruptedly received the allowances since 1 July 2005. It also turned out that the corresponding regional social service agency had sent a notice to bank in the terms provided by the law, with a request to provide reimbursement for the deposits of the citizen of the total amount of 250.000 (two hundred and fifty thousand) AMD. The bank in its turn fulfilled its obligations and sent a letter on the name of the beneficiary with notification to come to the bank and receive the sum. However the letter did not reach the beneficiary, as the clerk “confiscated” the letter instead of delivering it to the recipient and used it at his own discretion. In result the reimbursement was provided to the post clerk instead of the pensioner.

After Talin AARC studied the given case and revealed the fact, the abovementioned clerk returned the whole sum to the beneficiary, though saying that he had received the sum only a month ago and used for his own purposes. At the same time he besought from the beneficiary to excuse him, to refrain from disclosing his name and informing the fact to the employer and the law enforcement bodies.

The beneficiary was rather depressed when applying to the support of the AAC and did not believe in justice and restoration of his rights. Nevertheless after the case was successfully solved “he granted mercy to the greedy man” and expressed his gratitude to Talin Advocacy and Assistance Reception Center of the RA Aragatsotn Marz for its interference. “I really appreciate and am grateful for unbiased and kind treatment, which is extremely necessary for our generation. Nowadays free support is rather rare, and I once and again am grateful for the existence of your office…”

VIII. STATISTICS OF IMPLEMENTED ACTIVITIES

In 2009, the AYLA Central and Regional Offices, AACs and AARCs provided the following services in the scope of work of all the implemented projects:

Provision of legal resources

Provision of modern legal literature
Provision of computer, fax, e-mail and Internet services
Provision of RA legislative computer software program

3989 people used the legal resources of AYLA in 2009. 3152 people (79.02%) used the legal literature, and 837 people (20.98%) used the Armenian legislative computer software program and the other services (computer, Internet and fax):

Type	Number	%
Legal literature	3152	79.02
Computer systems	837	20.98
Total	3989	100

2966 people or 74.3 % of the users are female and 978 or 24.6% are male, 45 users or 1.1 % of the users were juridical persons:

Users	Number	%
Female	2966	74.3
Male	978	24.6
Juridical persons	45	1.1
Total	3989	100

Free legal advice and advocacy services

In 2009, AYLA offices, as well as AACs and AARCs operated by the organization provided free legal advice services and court representation for the representatives of the vulnerable groups of the society. Altogether 4664 people applied for AYLA services. 4577 or 98.1% were physical persons and 87 or 1.9 % were juridical persons. 1843 beneficiaries or 39.6% were male and 2821beneficiaries or 60.4% were female.

Percentage of Beneficiaries, by Legal Service:

Spheres of the free legal services	Number of beneficiaries per area	Percentage of beneficiaries
Labor	365	7.8
Housing	167	3.6
Family	388	8.4
Social Security	555	11.8
Civil Rights	1253	26.8
Civil Procedure	430	9.3
Administrative	179	3.8
Criminal Law	171	3.6
Land Ownership	130	2.8
Health	74	1.6
Education and Science	76	1.7
Criminal Procedure	110	2.3
Cases involving corruption risks	72	1.6
International Law	9	0.2
Other legal issues	685	14.7
TOTAL	4664	100

Type of the Beneficiaries of AYLA Legal Service

Type	Number	%
Physical persons	4577	98.1
Juridical persons	87	1.9
Total	4664	100

Gender of the Beneficiaries of AYLA Legal Service

Gender	Number	%
Female	2821	60.4
Male	1843	39.6
Total	4664	100

THE EXTERNAL AUDIT CONCLUSION AND FINANCIAL REPORTS ON THE FINANCIAL ASSETS OF THE ARMENIAN YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION FOR 2009

AYLA BOARD

The Board of the Organization is considered to be the governing body of the Organization in-between the General Assemblies. The composition of the Board is determined at the General Meeting of AYLA members, which is held every two years. AYLA held its VIII General Meeting on 4 December 2008. The General Meeting elected the Board of the organization:

Name		Title
Karen Zadoyan		AYLA President, Head of AYLA Board
David Abgaryan		AYLA Vice-President, Deputy-Head of AYLA Board
Narineh Karapetyan		AYLA Responsible Secretary, Responsible Secretary of AYLA Board
Artsrun Mirzoyan		AYLA Board member
Garik Hayrapetyan		AYLA Board member, Head of AYLA Gegharkunik branch
Lusineh Abgaryan		AYLA Board member
Arshavir Khalapyan		AYLA Board member, Head of AYLA Syunik branch
Liana Harutyunyan		AYLA Board member, Coordinator of the AYLA Professional Committees
Arpine Yeghikyan		AYLA Board member, National Administrator of the Jessup Competition, Coordinator of the Jessup Club of Armenia
Marat Atovmyan		AYLA Board member, Head of Human Rights, European Integration and International Cooperation Committee
Robert Grigoryan		AYLA Board member

CONTACTS

ARMENIAN YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION

Central Office

7 Nalbandyan Str. # 2, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia,

Zip Code: 0010,

Phone: (+374 10) 540199

Fax: (+374 10) 580299

E-mail: [email protected]

Aragatsotn Advocacy and Assistance Center

51 V. Petrosyan Str., apt. 2, Ashtarak,

Aragatsotn region, RA

Hotline: 0800 01 122

E-mail: [email protected]

AYLA Yerevan Branch
7 Nalbandyan Str., # 2, Yerevan, RA
Phone: (374 10) 540199
Fax: (374 10) 580299
E-mail: [email protected]

Talin Advocacy and Assistance Reception Center

2 Spandaryan Str., 1st floor, room 2, Talin,

Aragatsotn region, RA

Phone: (0249) 22123

E-mail: [email protected]

AYLA Gegharkunik Regional Branch
56 Boshnaghyan Str., apt. 6, Gavar, RA
Phone: (374 264) 25503
Fax: (374 264) 25503Ashtarak, Talin, Aparan,
E-mail: [email protected]

Aparan Advocacy and Assistance Reception Center

13 Baghramyan Str., Aparan,

Aragatsotn region, RA

Phone: (0252) 24423

E-mail: [email protected]

AYLA Lori Regional Branch
82 Vardanants Str., #1, Vanadzor, RA
Phone: (374 322) 22317
Fax: (374 322) 22317
E-mail: [email protected]

Kotayk Advocacy and Assistance Center

Kentron A-2 District, Hrazdan,

Kotayk region, RA

Hotline: 0800 01 119

E-mail: [email protected]

AYLA Shirak Regional Branch
1 Tigran Mets Str., # 2, Gyumri, RA
Phone: (374 312) 58236
Fax: (374 312) 58236
E-mail: [email protected]