Thursday, October 31 2013

 Armenia's Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan said in the parliament today that he is displeased with the financing volumes from the state budget 2014. The total of 213 million drams will be allocated from the state budget to the Ombudsman's Office in 2014. 

Karen Andreasyan said that the Office of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia refused grants a year ago, so that not to depend on international structures. This means that the refusal must be compensated from the state budget.  He said that first he had asked for 244 million drams from next year's state budget, the latter allocated only 213 million drams. This means only three of the six regional offices will continue functioning plus the rapid response service will be closed starting 1 January 2014, he said.   

He also added that this helpline service needs 10 million drams and three staff to run normal operations. "In 2013, this service received 1,025 calls day and night, and quickly responded to 273 of them," - he said. 

Touching on raising of salary of top officials Andreasyan said that according to the legislation, the level of his salary will be similar to the salary of the chairman of the Constitutional Court. However, it differs. In fact, they are trying to limit his authorities, he said and added that this  may be understood like imposing pressure upon the ombudsman. "Members of the parliament should deal with protection of my rights, and I will protect the rights of 2,5 mln. I ask you to help me get those 10 mln drams to preserve rapid response service", - Andreasyan applied to members of the parliament. 

According to his calculations, if the government abandons organizing of 2-3 concerts, this will make it possible to normally finance activity of the key structures.