On April 13 NA sitting started with the voting of previously debated drafts, approving the report on fulfillment of the program 2001-2003 on privatization of state property, the program 2005-2007 on privatization of state property, adopting in the second reading the submitted drafts on Making Addenda to RA Law on Scientific and Scientific-Technical Activities, on Making Addendum to RA Law on High Education and Post-Graduate Specialized Education, on Making Addendum to RA Law on Education, on Making Addenda to RA Law on State Assistance to Innovative Activities and on Making Addenda to the RA Law on High Education and Post-Graduate Specialized Education.

The draft on Constitutional Court, submitted by Deputy Minister of Justice Gevorg Malkhasyan was debated.

The Chairman of Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs Rafik Petrosyan presented the endorsement of the Committee, mentioning that the debated draft is thoroughly elaborated and Constitutional Court’s regular activity satisfying document. As for shortcomings, the committee will present suggestions to the authors before the second reading.

RA Human Rights Defender Armen Harutyunyan presented an annual report on activities of RA Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) in 2005 and on Human Rights and violations of fundamental freedoms in the country, including the common direction, statistics and discussion process of complaints, main directions of international institutions, NGOs, cooperation with mass media, further activities of Human Rights Defender.

Mr. Hatutyunyan informed that the presented statistics is based on the materials kept in the staff. According to them, the Ombudsmen received 1551 written complaints in 2005, but the number of applicants is1824. This diversity is the result of group complaints. 533 complaints out of 1551 were debated. The possibilities of rights protection were presented to 188 applicants. 159 complaints were addressed to other bodies for discussion. 594 complaints were not accepted for debate. 77 complaints are at the stage of study.

According to the statistics, more than 34% of complaints have been accepted for the discussions, which is a positive characteristic. In European countries this number does not exceed 20-25%.

Mr. Harutyunyan noted that he is not authorized to give a conclusion of the work done by the first RA Human Rights Defender. He will do that during the presentation of 2006 annual report.

The first RA Ombudsperson, Larisa Alaverdyan attended the sitting upon NA invitation. In her brief speech she thanked Mr. Harutyunyan for the not presenting the “subject report” and informed that she is going to present to the public the detailed report of the work done and about cases of violations of human rights in RA, that are of systematic character and are problematic from the view of national security.

NA Deputy Viktor Dallakyan presenting the view of “Ardarutyun” faction regarding the debated issue expressed the satisfaction with the activities of Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan for the protection of violated rights in the Constitutional Court, in the processes of citizens’ property forced alienation, during the reconstruction program in Yerevan and for his concerned position.

MPs debated also drafts on Making Amendment to RA Law on the RA Civil Service, on making Addendum to RA Law on RA State Awards (package), on Making Amendments and Addenda toRA Law on Advertisement, on Making Amendments and Addendum to RA Law on Military Service, on Making Amendments and Addenda to RA Law on Approving Code of RA Armed Forces’ Garrison and Guard Services, on Making Amendments and Addenda to RA Law on Approving Code of RA Armed Forces’ Internal Services.