1 / 20

The NA Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs debated the issue of proposing a candidate to the National Assembly for election to the position of the RA Human Rights Defender (HRD) at the extraordinary sitting on April 4.

The Committee members first approved the special procedure for the debate.

The NA Armenia and With Honor Factions proposed Edgar Ghazaryan for that position.

The Chair of the NA Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs Taguhi Tovmasyan presenting the biographical data of the candidate, emphasized his public and professional capabilities.

Edgar Ghazaryan is a candidate of economic sciences, associate professor. He held a number of high positions, during his work activity he taught at Armenian State University of Economics (ASUE).

The candidate was the Chief of Staff of the Constitutional Court in 2019-2021. He is an author of more than three dozen scientific articles.

Edgar Ghazaryan thanked the opposition Factions for proposing him.

His speech was not about the vision of the Human Rights Defender.

According to Edgar Ghazaryan, the candidate of the Civil Contract Faction was nominated violating the Constitution.

The Chair of the NA Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs Vladimir Vardanyan clarified that only the Constitutional Court can assess the violation of the Constitution. He urged his colleagues to be guided by the principle of Herostratus, to forget him.

The Secretary of the Civil Conrtact Faction Artur Hovhannisyan presented the biographical data of the candidate Anahit Manasyan nominated by the Faction. She was born in Yerevan, graduated from Yerevan State University (YSU), Faculty of Law, is a candidate of law, associate professor. She is the author and co-author of more than ten monographs. She carried out expert work in human rights defender institutions of European countries.

Arthur Hovhannisyan expressed confidence that Anahit Manasyan will invest her rich experience and knowledge in protecting the interests of the people and the country.

Anahit Manasyan highlighted the improvement of public tolerance among the society in the protection of human rights. “The task of all of us should be to record the problems and find solutions with joint efforts,” Anahit Manasyan said.

The candidate underlined the need to solve issues in a collaborative atmosphere. According to her, the spheres of human rights protection need development.

Anahit Manasyan underscored that she will invest all her efforts, connections and experience in protecting the rights of our compatriots of Artsakh.

“The position of the HRD implies high responsibility and benevolence,” Anahit Manasyan noted.

Responding to the question of the Deputy Chair of the Committe Rustam Bakoyan about national minorities, Anahit Manasyan stated that she will invest all the toolset of the HRD in solving the issues of national minorities.

The deputies of the Civil Contract Faction expressed readiness to support her in all matters. In order to perform the functions of the Human Rights Defender, it was important to ensure the atmosphere of tolerance.

“I am ready to work with everyone,” Anahit Manasyan said.

The Committee members proposed the candidacy of Anahit Manasyan to the National Assembly for the position of the RA Human Rights Defender with 4 votes in favour.

Edgar Ghazaryan received 1 vote in favour.