12:34, 10 September 2003

Armenian parliament passed Law "About the Institution of Human Rights Defense"

On Tuesday the National Assembly of Armenia passed in the second reading the Law "About the Institution of Human Rights Defense".

As one of the authors of the draft, Parliament Vice-Speaker Tigran Torosian, reported, henceforth the ombudsman is appointed for a six-year term, he has no right to interfere in a trial, but he may introduce motions for fair treatment within the limits of the European norms on human rights.

In accordance with the Law, any citizen of Armenia not younger than 35 and having high prestige in the society may be an ombudsman.

For today an ombudsman is appointed by a president, however after a new packet of constitutional alterations have been passed, the authorities of the human rights defender will be terminated and he will be elected by 79 deputies.

Source: RIA Novosti