ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT PF THE “ARMENIAN LAWYERS’ ASSOCIATION” NGO
Dear Friends, Partners and Supporters,
With great pride and responsibility, I present to you the 2022 Annual Report (hereinafter referred to as the Report) on the activities of the “Armenian Lawyers’ Association” NGO (hereinafter: the ALA), which summarizes the information about the organization’s activities, already implemented and current programs, organized discussions, prepared expert reports, financial report.
Throughout the past year, the structure continued its main activities, contributing to the development, modification and adoption of public policies in various areas of justice, rule of law, good governance, paying particular attention to the protection of human rights, as well as to the constitutional, anti-corruption and judicial system reforms.
Emphasizing the transparency of the organization’s activities, the observance of integrity and ethical standards before the partners and other beneficiaries, we publish the report presenting the organization’s activities every year.
With best regards and wishes,
Karen Zadoyan, Lawyer
President of the “Armenian Lawyers’ Association” NGO
INTRODUCTION
The ALA was founded in 1995 in Yerevan. During the years of its activities the organization always enjoyed the trust of the public and was a reliable partner among the associates. Having defined values, mission, vision, developed strategic action plan and being guided by them, ALA successfully implements the statutory goals set before it, and contributes to possible extent to solve challenges and problems in the field of activity.
The main directions of the ALA activity are:
- Fight against corruption in Armenia.
- Protection of human rights, including the rights of socially vulnerable groups and women, and raising the level of legal awareness.
- Supporting reforms in the justice, including constitutional, judicial and other targeted areas.
- Promoting the education of lawyers and young people and contributing to the building and establishment of the civil society.
During the reporting period, ALA continued the constructive dialogue and cooperation with various state, private and international structures, the number of which is constantly expanding. ALA has a Central Office and 4 branches in Yerevan, in the Shirak, Lori, and Syunik marzes of the RA, where regional structures and local self-government bodies are involved in the process of implementing the programs; as a result, the impact of the programs implemented by the ALA becomes more large-scale and comprehensive.
The ALA has a rich legal library, the services of which are used by young lawyers from Yerevan and the provinces as well as by other persons interested who are interested in law.
The organization pays much attention to the use of innovative tools. ALA is operating a bilingual official website: https://armla.am/. The ALA, also being the coordinator of the Secretariat of the CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition of Armenian (hereinafter referred to as the Coalition), operates the official website of the Coalition: http://aac.am/, ensures the normal course of the Coalition’s activities, provides expert support to the Coalition, covers the activities of the Coalition, ensures the publicity of the results of the activities.
In addition, during the reporting period, ALA also created its own e-learning platform, https://elearning.armla.am/, which was launched and accepted by our beneficiaries. The platform also has a special section, which includes the educational component of the Anti-Corruption School for Young Leaders, with basic and advanced stages.
In 2020 the independent professional news website www.iravaban.net has been operated with high access rates in Armenian and English, it has more than 270,000 followers on the social media website “Facebook”. The website bizprotect.am has continued to function as well, where anonymous reports on possible corruption risks and other violations in the business sphere are presented, and the ALA ensures that they are addressed by the competent authorities.
ALA MISSION, VALUES AND TEAM
The Mission of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association is: to promote the formation of a sovereign legal community in Armenia with high professional competencies, having invulnerable integrity values and applying the legal innovation, the establishment of a safe legal environment, legal culture, rule of law and legal innovation in the society.
The values of the organization are: Sovereignty, professionalism, honesty, leadership, innovation, teamwork, integrity, justice, solidarity, constructive dialogue, purposefulness, courage and forgiveness.
The ALA team is the cornerstone of success. Skilled professionals who regularly improve their knowledge both in Armenia and abroad make an invaluable contribution to the establishment and development of the institution, coming up with new initiatives and innovative ideas. ALA currently organizes events aimed at increasing the professional qualities and abilities of its members and developing related skills, as well as increasing national, educational and professional values among them. The ALA team strongly emphasizes the significance of the organization’s ideology and values and is constantly guided by them during its activities.
IMPLEMENTED PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE ALA
“Budgets 4 Citizens” (B4C) action
The “Budgets 4 Citizens” (B4C) action is being implemented with the financial support of the European Union by the Armenian Lawyers’ Association, cooperation with partners “Economic Development and Research Center” (EDRC) NGO and “Agora Central Europe” NGO (Czech Republic). The Project duration is 48 months from 8 December, 2022 – 7 December, 2026.
The Overall Objective is to foster an inclusive and transparent budgetary process with Civil Society in Armenia and enhance participation of Civil Society in public budgetary processes.
The target sectors of the Action are: Justice, Education, Social Sector and Agriculture.
Co-creation Support for the 2020-2022 OGP National Action Plan
ALA participated and provided support in Co-creation Support for the 2020-2022 OGP National Action Plan. The “Co-creation Support for the 2020-2022 OGP National Action Plan” project funded by the Open Government Partnership started in October 2020.
The objective of the project was to assist in defining the list of activities for the next two years, target areas, and necessary actions through discussions with the civil society of Armenia and the competent state bodies.
Discussions focused on education, social, public procurement, healthcare and justice sectors. The procedure for developing OGP action plans and setting criteria for priorities has been developed.
“Youth4Anti-Corruption”: 8th Stream of the Anti-Corruption School for Young Leaders
As in previous years, ALA in cooperation with the Coalition organized and implemented the 8th Stream of the Anti-Corruption School for Young Leaders. 35 candidates were selected from dozens of applicants, from different regions of Armenia and Yerevan. The school was conducted in a hybrid format – online, distance and face-to-face. The courses consisted of 5 stages, which in addition to basic and advanced stages also included the development of practical knowledge in the context of visits to relevant bodies, listening to guest lecturers, conducting classes by students in schools and communities.
The main topics of the course were related to the Republic of Armenia Anti-Corruption Strategy and its Implementation Action Plan for 2019-2022; prevention of corruption; anti-corruption education and awareness; and the involvement of the public in the fight against corruption as a result of the awareness raising activities; the anti-corruption institutional system; international anti-corruption initiatives and documents; the integrity of the public and private sectors; the fight against corruption, the whistle-blowing system, etc. It should also be added the key topics such as national anti-corruption initiatives, legal documents, the fight against corruption and its stages, as well as the development, monitoring and evaluation of anti-corruption strategies were not left out of the scope of discussions held within the framework of the School. And, as in previous years, this year the program was concluded on 9 December, within the framework of the event dedicated to the International Anti-Corruption Day, during which the participants presented their final works and received certificates.
The ALA representative was elected a member of the Civil Society Platform provided for by the European Union-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement
In February 2022, Marat Atovmyan, a member of the ALA Board, was elected a member of the Civil Society Platform Civil Society Platform provided for by the European Union-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement and is one of the four main members.
The platform was created in accordance with Article 366 of the European Union-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement and is a platform for meetings and exchange of opinions. It includes the representatives of civil society of the European Union, including members of the European Economic and Social Committee, and representatives of civil society organizations, trade unions and the Union of Employers’ the Republic of Armenia. The meetings of the platform are held periodically.
Alternative public monitoring of the Actions of the Republic of Armenia Anti-Corruption Strategy and its Implementation Action Plan for 2019-2022 to be performed in 2021
In 2022, the ALA, in cooperation with the Coalition, implemented Alternative public monitoring of the Actions of the Republic of Armenia Anti-Corruption Strategy and its Implementation Action Plan for 2019-2022 to be performed in 2021. A total of 8 (eight) focus group discussions were held with government agencies, CSOs, sectoral experts, and lawyers responsible for implementation of the actions. In order to carry out monitoring, information requests were also made from relevant state departments; existing documents and monitoring reports were studied.
The first draft of the report was sent to the relevant competent authorities in order to collect opinions, positions and suggestions on the draft. Some of the positions and proposals of the competent authorities were accepted by the ALA and they were included in the final version of the report, which is available here .
Alternative Public Monitoring Report on the Implementation of Action Plans for 2019-2021 deriving from the 2019-2023 Strategy for Judicial and Legal Reforms of the Republic of Armenia
During the reporting period, IRA also carried out the Alternative Public Monitoring Report on the Implementation of Action Plans for 2019-2021 deriving from the 2019-2023 Strategy for Judicial and Legal Reforms of the Republic of Armenia.
A total of 12 FDGs were conducted, with government agencies, CSOs, sectoral experts, and lawyers and other interested parties responsible for implementation of the actions for 2019-2021 deriving from the Strategy.
The first draft of the report was put into circulation from March 15, 2022. It was also sent to the concerned competent authorities in order to collect opinions, positions and proposals regarding the project. Some of the positions and proposals of the competent authorities were accepted by the IRA and they were included in the final version of the report, which you can read here.
Presentation of Monitoring Reports on Judicial & Legal and Anti-Corruption Strategy Reforms
On 14 June, 2022 the presentation of alternative public monitoring reports on the implementation of Judicial, Legal and Anti-Corruption Reform strategies developed by the Armenian Lawyers’ Association in a participatory manner took place.
About 50 representatives from government agencies, civil society organizations, lawyers, advocates, and others attended the event.
Details on the presentation are available here
“Advocacy: Current State and Prospects for its Development in the RA” Annual Republican Scientific Conference was held
ALA being committed to its activities organized the 11th Annual Republican Scientific Conference “Advocacy: Current State and Prospects for its Development in the Republic of Armenia” was held at the Armenian Lawyers’ Association on 18 October, 2022. The participants of the conference presented their works in two stages: written and oral. The authors of the 4 reports that scored the maximum points in the written round were invited to participate in the oral round. Accordingly, 4 reports were presented during the oral phase. Details on the conference are available here.
THE 2022 FINANCIAL REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL MEANS OF THE ALA
| 2022 | ||
| Thousand | ||
| Salaries and social insurance. | 14,896.5 | |
| Depreciation of fixed and intangible assets, repair and maintenance costs | 13,035.3 | |
| Travel and representation costs | 3.5 | |
| Mail, telecommunications | 2.5 | |
| Office and other utility costs | 4,327.4 | |
| Audit and consulting costs | 120.8 | |
| Banking costs and insurance costs | 68.4 | |
| Expenses for non-refundable taxes | 293 | |
| Other administrative costs | 1,620 | |
| Program costs | 33,121.8 | |
| Current tax expenses (income) | 22.8 | |
| Total | 67,511.9 |
ALA BOARD
The ALA Board is considered to be the governing body of the Organization in the periods between sessions of the General Assembly.
| Name, Surname | Position |
| Karen Zadoyan | ALA President, President of the ALA Board |
| Arpine Yeghikyan | Executive Secretary of the ALA Board |
| Marat Atovmyan | Member of the ALA Board |
| Zaruhi Harutyunyan | Member of the ALA Board |
| Karen Kocharyan | Member of the ALA Board |
CONTACT DATA
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Central Office 7 Nalbandyan Str., Suite 2, Yerevan Telephone: (374 10) 540199 Fax: (374 10) 580299 E-mail: [email protected] |
ALA Yerevan Branch, Anti-Corruption Center of Yerevan 7 Nalbandyan Str., Suite 2, Yerevan (entrance from the yard) Telephone: (374 10) 540199 Fax: (374 10) 580299 Hot Line: 0 8000 11 10 E-mail: [email protected]
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ALA Lori Regional Branch, Anti-Corruption Center of Lori Marz 82 Vardanants Str., #1, Vanadzor Telephone: (374 322) 2 23 17 Fax: (374 322) 2 23 17 E-mail: [email protected] |
ALA Shirak Regional Branch, Anti-Corruption Center of Shirak Marz 1 Tigran Mets Str., # 2, Gyumri Telephone: (374 312) 5 82 36 Fax: (374 312) 5 82 36 E-mail: [email protected]
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ALA Syunik Regional Branch, Anti-Corruption Center of Syunik Marz 1 Alek Manukyan Str., apt. 72, Kapan Telephone: (374 285) 5 25 11 Fax: (374 285) 5 25 11 E-mail: [email protected] |