On February 8 the activities of the four-day sittings of the National Assembly resumed.

According to the Rules of Procedure, the MPs voted in close, secret ballot the election of the Human Rights Defender. Gagik Melikyan, Chairman of the Ad hoc Accounting Committee presented to the public the outcomes of the voting of the Human Rights Defender: 107 MPs participated at the voting, 13 ballots were recognized invalid. Two candidates were not elected due to not collecting respective votes: 25 MPs voted in favour of Ruben Torosyan, 69 – against, and in favour of Armen Harutiunyan 69 MPs voted, and 25 – against. The MPs debated the issue of the election of the scientist members of RA Justice Council. According to the New Constitution, the parliament has the right to propose the candidacy of two members. Samvel Balasanyan, head OE/Country of Law faction presented the candidacy of their faction, Grigor Badiryan, and Galust Sahakyan, chairman of RPA faction proposed Robert Avagyan’s candidacy.Then the candidates expressed their views about the activity of the justice council, the works being done and answered journalists’ questions.

In Grigor Badiryan’s view, problems of vital importance for the society are solved in the sphere of justice; the state and the man, the strong and the weak compete. Mr. Badiryan believes that it’s necessary to develop structural orders promoting the independence of the judicial system. The candidate of OE faction noted that his activities will be directed tom then reduction of the existing negative revelations in the judicial power system and the solution of the problems of the Justice Council.

As Robert Avagyan, the candidate of RPA faction observed, the widening of the rights of the Justice Council gives wide opportunities for productive activities.

In his extraordinary speech NA President Artur Baghadasaryan noted that after the constitutional reforms for the first time the parliament is empowered to elect members of justice council. The Parliament President, not denying the public dissatisfactions from the judicial system, expressed a hope that the scientists elected by the National Assembly will contribute to the formation of justice with their activities. As Mr. Baghdasaryan said we should fight against corruption and bribery not with words but practical steps. The NA President highlighted the rapprochement of the parliament and the Justice Council

According to the Rules of Procedure, the last sitting was allotted to the deputies-government question and answer.

The National Assembly will resume the activities of the four-day sittings on February 9.