ArmInfo. Armenia's Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan discussed draft law "On Human Rights Defender" in a phone conversation with Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks.
During the meeting Tatoyan presented the provisions of the draft law, which are aimed at raising the role of Ombudsman. The Commissioner in turn considered important adoption of this draft which according to him will contribute to more efficient work of the Ombudsman.
To note, the Armenian parliament is discussing draft law on "Human Rights Defender". According to the draft the authorities of the Ombudsman will be significantly enlarged. The draft envisages that the Defender may not, during his or her term of powers and thereafter, furnish explanation or be questioned as a witness with regard to applications or complaints addressed thereto during his or her term of office. The Defender may not be deprived of liberty without the consent of the National Assembly, except for the case of having been caught at the time of committing a criminal offence or immediately thereafter. In this case, deprivation of liberty may not last more than seventy-two hours. The Chairperson of the National Assembly shall be immediately notified of the deprivation of liberty of the Defender. State and local self-government bodies, organisations, officials or representatives thereof shall be obliged to guarantee the possibility of unimpeded and confidential communication of the Defender or the representative thereof with a person held in a place of confinement or deprivation of liberty. Private conversations of the Defender or the representatives thereof with such persons shall not be subject to intervention or wiretapping. If the Ombudsman's requests are not answered within the set term a fine amounting to 100 thousand AMD instead of the current 20 thousand AMD is envisaged. Ombudsman will have the right to have representatives in the parliament.