ArmInfo. "The citizen is not the material for the fine," Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan told the government on June 15, reacting to the bill on amending the RA Law "On Police" regarding mobile video cameras. The Armenian government has considered the initiative of the deputies from the Republican Party of Armenia, who are invited to refuse mobile video recording as evidence of violations of traffic rules.
In particular, as explained by the head of the Police Valery Osipyan, the draft law proposes to prohibit the use of mobile video recording equipment in order to prevent or disclose, as well as ensure public order. The authors of the bill argue the need for the adoption of the document by the following circumstances: in its present form, the law does not ensure the execution of an oral warning from a police officer about video fixation, the fact of a violation is recorded without the authorization of this entity. In addition, it is believed that mobile video recording on vehicles and a video camera attached to a police uniform is a violation of privacy.
As the Chief of Police pointed out, the bill suggests marking vehicles equipped with video cameras with a special sign, placing warning signs on those sections of the road that are recorded on video, which will allow drivers to recognize their presence in a timely manner. "We believe that these arguments are insufficient to approve the bill," Osipyan said, noting that mobile video recording cameras have a deterrent effect and are implemented in accordance with the Constitution. Instead, he proposed to enforce the public notice of mobile video fixing equipment.
"We again run into contradictions," the Prime Minister said in response. "We constantly insist that we should stop the practice of persecuting people with the aim of penalizing them, on the other hand, we are increasing the number of mobile video cameras." At the same time, we are not guaranteed that the police officer does not remove us "into the quiet," Pashinyan said. also asked the police chief what the situation with mobile radars (speed meters).
In response, Osipyan said that mobile radars are currently not operating either in Yerevan or in the regions. At the same time, he insists that video cameras are necessary, since they have a deterrent effect. He assured that soon the Police will come up with an initiative to reduce the amount of fines, including for violations of traffic rules. In addition, he said that a police officer should warn the driver that a recording is in progress and no one has the right to destroy this video. Citizens have the right to refuse video fixing, but the decision to conduct video fixing, or not, is taken by a police officer.
Meanwhile, after listening to Osipyan, Nikol Pashinyan stated that he did not like the train of thought of those present. "We have formed a political task - to refrain from politics everywhere and to fine citizens, and now you are discussing whether to fin with or without light," he said, suggesting that the policy is aimed at ensuring road safety or whether fiscal tasks are being solved. "Let's stop the practice of harassing Armenian citizens and fining them everywhere." Do not be like that. Let's solve the issue of securing road safety in a different way, let's say increase the quality of roads, "he concluded. Nikol Pashinyan banned members of the government from deviating from the political course.
On May 17, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan proposed to the Cabinet of Ministers temporarily suspend the work of cameras and radars on the roads. According to him In other words, colossal fines have been imposed on citizens who have not yet fully paid, people can not pay off their debts. "We need to give them time to" catch their breath," he said.