Judge's Office Raided in Absence Over Unfavorable Decision for the Authorities

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Arpine Hovhannisyan wrote on her Facebook page: “Today, I participated in the annual meeting dedicated to human rights and democracy issues on behalf of the public organization 'Legal Education and Control' in Warsaw. Many representatives of civil society from Armenia attended, including Siranush Sahakyan, Daniel Ioannisyan, Arthur Sakunts, Nina Karapetyants, and others.

During the meeting, I delivered a speech focused primarily on issues within the judicial system. I must note that before the representatives from Armenia spoke, a representative from Azerbaijan took the floor, considering it his duty to address the situation created in Armenia and to lecture the Republic of Armenia on democracy. In my speech, I also responded to the Azeri representative, advising him to reflect on democracy in his own country. (See the text of the speech)

Nina Karapetyants also countered the Azerbaijani delegate from the Armenian side. Interestingly, Daniel Ioannisyan, who spoke immediately after me, dedicated one minute of his 2.5-minute speech to me, blaming the judicial system of Armenia for all possible flaws, presenting me as a guarantor of independence!! Of course, I understand the agenda he pursues within the country, but it is surprising that this same agenda is brought outside the country. Shouldn’t I have been at least allocated ten seconds to respond to the Azerbaijani representative, instead of an unequal distribution of time between us to my detriment?

Below is the text of my speech: Dear colleagues, it is an honor for me to participate in this event dedicated to democracy issues by the OSCE. Previously, I have also had the honor of being involved in OSCE meetings; however, this is the first time I am participating as a representative of civil society. However, before my speech, I would like to briefly address the issues raised by my Azerbaijani colleague.

I should note that you are not the person who should assess the level of democracy in Armenia and lecture our Prime Minister. I am a citizen of the Republic of Armenia and a representative of civil society, thus I have the right and must do this.

I have repeatedly stated, including in the PACE, that what has occurred and is possible in Armenia could not even be imagined in Azerbaijan.

Dear colleagues, now I will present several concerning facts from my country, without my commentary, and you can draw your own conclusions:

• Is it not alarming that the office of a judge who made an unfavorable decision for the authorities is being searched during his absence, while the judge is on vacation, and subsequently, his powers are suspended?
• Is it not alarming that a judge, enjoying the support of the new government and elected in violation of laws, is sworn in as the president of the Constitutional Court, questioning the legality of the office of the president of the Constitutional Court and the entire court based on robust governmental support?
• Is it not alarming that the Venice Commission assesses that the welcome of such a statement by the parliamentary majority is concerning and contains a risk of interference in the activities of the operating judges?
• Is it not alarming that in his interview, the Prime Minister uses the following vocabulary regarding judges: 'They have gone looking for their old masters in the corners. They are whining under doors: come to rule over us'?
• Is it not alarming that the Government offers constitutional court judges passive income in the form of legal bribery to retire early?
• Is it not alarming that following a Constitutional Court decision, the ruling parliamentary faction begins the process of suspending the powers of the president of the Constitutional Court?

Dear colleagues, according to the recommendations of the OSCE Kyiv, judges should not be held accountable for the content of their decisions or judgments, including for various interpretations of legal norms by different courts, examples of judicial errors, or criticism of courts. In light of the above, I believe that the situation created in Armenia contradicts OSCE standards. Therefore, I think the international community must respond to the aforementioned events and closely monitor the situation in Armenia.