Newsroom
OSCE/ODIHR acknowledges progress with freedom of assembly law in Armenia
WARSAW 4 November 2005
WARSAW, 4 November 2005 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has welcomed the promulgation by Armenia's President of amendments to the Law on Conducting Meetings, Assemblies, Rallies and Demonstrations.
The OSCE/ODIHR acknowledged the significant progress made since April 2004 when this law was first adopted and commented upon by both the OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.
In their final opinion on the legislation, both institutions particularly welcomed the removal of the blanket prohibition on assembling in specified locations, as well as the amendments relaxing the restrictions on spontaneous protest.
"While we believe that the law as amended improves the legal framework governing the right to peaceful assembly, the test of its compliance with international human rights standards lies in how it is implemented," said the OSCE/ODIHR Director, Ambassador Christian Strohal.
"The right to peaceful assembly should not be interpreted restrictively and any restrictions should be construed narrowly. There is a need to clearly establish proportionality as the guiding principle in the regulation of public assemblies."
The OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission have been conducting expert consultations with the Armenian authorities and civil society on the legislation since March 2004. Joint opinions have been prepared and shared in a constructive spirit with the Armenian authorities.
Both institutions paid close attention not only to the content of the law, but also to the process whereby it was drafted and adopted, and both share the view that a democratic approach to the right to freedom of assembly must be developed and supported with the wide participation of Armenian society.
"It is now of the utmost importance that the application of the law be properly monitored and that it be kept under review, in consultation with civil society representatives and other relevant stakeholders," added Ambassador Strohal.
The OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission have also been involved in electoral law reform in Armenia, publishing several opinions on draft amendments to the election code. The last document, "Final Opinion on the Amendments to the Electoral Code of the Republic of Armenia," will be officially released next week.
The amendments to the election law, adopted in May 2005, implement several recommendations contained in previous opinions by the two institutions, and mark an improvement in the legislative framework for elections in Armenia. Nevertheless, the OSCE/ODIHR stresses that conduct of future elections will depend on their implementation in good faith and the will of the authorities to run a healthy democratic election process.
The OSCE/ODIHR acknowledged the significant progress made since April 2004 when this law was first adopted and commented upon by both the OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.
In their final opinion on the legislation, both institutions particularly welcomed the removal of the blanket prohibition on assembling in specified locations, as well as the amendments relaxing the restrictions on spontaneous protest.
"While we believe that the law as amended improves the legal framework governing the right to peaceful assembly, the test of its compliance with international human rights standards lies in how it is implemented," said the OSCE/ODIHR Director, Ambassador Christian Strohal.
"The right to peaceful assembly should not be interpreted restrictively and any restrictions should be construed narrowly. There is a need to clearly establish proportionality as the guiding principle in the regulation of public assemblies."
The OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission have been conducting expert consultations with the Armenian authorities and civil society on the legislation since March 2004. Joint opinions have been prepared and shared in a constructive spirit with the Armenian authorities.
Both institutions paid close attention not only to the content of the law, but also to the process whereby it was drafted and adopted, and both share the view that a democratic approach to the right to freedom of assembly must be developed and supported with the wide participation of Armenian society.
"It is now of the utmost importance that the application of the law be properly monitored and that it be kept under review, in consultation with civil society representatives and other relevant stakeholders," added Ambassador Strohal.
The OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission have also been involved in electoral law reform in Armenia, publishing several opinions on draft amendments to the election code. The last document, "Final Opinion on the Amendments to the Electoral Code of the Republic of Armenia," will be officially released next week.
The amendments to the election law, adopted in May 2005, implement several recommendations contained in previous opinions by the two institutions, and mark an improvement in the legislative framework for elections in Armenia. Nevertheless, the OSCE/ODIHR stresses that conduct of future elections will depend on their implementation in good faith and the will of the authorities to run a healthy democratic election process.