RA Human Rights Defender`s powers to be expanded

ArmInfo.The powers of the RA Human Rights Defender will be expanded. At its October 16 session, the National Assembly Committee on Human Rights and Public Affairs issued a positive opinion on amendments to the law "On the Human  Rights Defender" submitted by Member of Parliament Rustam Bakoyan.

Introducing the amendments, Bakoyan noted that several provisions of  the law concerning the activities of the RA Human Rights Defender  require revision and clarification. Specifically, he proposes  amendments and additions to 11 articles of the current law. In  particular, several provisions of the law have been clarified and  brought into line with other provisions of the same law. It is  proposed to clarify that in the event of the early termination of the  Ombudsman's powers due to their resignation, the Ombudsman is  obligated to publish and submit to parliament a final report  containing an account of the work performed and the state of  protection of human rights and freedoms for the period from the  submission of their annual report until the submission of their  resignation.

It is also planned that if it is impossible to decide on a  replacement for the Ombudsman during their temporary absence or in  the event of their resignation, it will be made by the senior head of  one of the divisions of the Human Rights Defender's Office.  Furthermore, if the temporary replacement of the Ombudsman by a  senior head of one of the divisions of the Human Rights Defender's  Office is impossible, this responsibility will be assigned to the  next head. Other clarifications are also proposed, as well as an  expansion of the Ombudsman's powers.