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On November 26 at the initiative of the RA NA Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs parliamentary hearings were held on the bill on Making Amendments and Addenda to RA Law on Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) presented in legislative order by RA Government. Representatives of legislative and executive authorities and European structures, NGOs and journalists took part in the discussions. RA NA Speaker Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan attended the parliamentary hearings.

Opening the work of the parliamentary hearings, Deputy Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs Mr. Rafik Petrosyan said that the public associations repeatedly applied to the state competent bodies to make their activities easy and more transparent, allow entrepreneurship, and the creative unions with the problems to make a certain law on them. The NGOs were again displeased with the amendments being proposed and taking into account that the Committee decided to cancel for 90 days entering the draft law into NA four-day sittings and by NA Speaker’s proposal made a decision to organize parliamentary hearings.

RA NA Speaker Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan gave a speech in connection with the issue under discussion.

“Dear ladies and gentlemen,

Dear colleagues,

I am glad to greet you in the National Assembly and welcome you in the Armenian Parliament.

Today’s public relations are dedicated perhaps, to one of the most important components of the civil society, NGOs, whose activities I highlight. On October 1 the RA Government sent to the National Assembly the bill on Making Amendments and Addenda to RA Law on Non Governmental Organizations, which aroused a big wave among the NGOs. At least they reported me like that. The latter sent many applications on that issue to the leadership of the country and the National Assembly, including, personally me. Our foreign colleagues also expressed their concerns over this bill. The representative of RA Government did no come to attend the meeting of the RA NA Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs on November 13 of this year. Therefore, the discussion of the bill was delayed for 90 days.

To ensure the transparency of the process I decided to initiate the conduct of these public hearings, which I highlight very much. This is the best opportunity to listen to the representatives of the government, who worked on the bill, and the NGOs that opposed it, which are present in this hall. I am sure that as a result of this discussion, the truth will come out, which will direct the National Assembly, in making a decision about the further destiny of this bill.

I express my gratitude to everybody for showing interest towards this issue. I thank also Mr. Petrosyan for organizing these hearings. I invite you to freely discuss, using the high tribune of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia. I hope that during this discussion we’ll reveal the truth, and the hearings will be effective.”

Minister of Justice Mr. Gevorg Danielyan presented his considerations on the issue.

Deputy Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs Mr. Rafik Petrosyan ensured that any democratic country should provide necessary conditions for the independent and free activities of the NGOs.

During the discussions the MPS and other concerned persons  gave speeches and raised questions , which referred to the disputable items of the draft law. Some partaicipants of the hearings demanded to move the draft law from circulation.

Deputy Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs Mr. Rafik Petrosyan gave a concluding speech. He offered those present during 90 days to submit their proposals, which will be given to NA President and the Government, discussed and summed up in the committee.