Impact of PACE monitoring on advancing democratic institutions in Armenia

Abstract

The paper analyses the impact of Resolutions 1609 and 1620 adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in regard to the Republic of Armenia and tries to understand to what extent the resolutions helped advancing legislation and practice of institutions that are essential for democratic development. After the presidential elections of February 2008, the clash between the opposition and the police forces attracted the attention of most of the international organizations interested in the region and pursuing democratization and human rights. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, during April 2008 part-session, adopted Resolution 1609 which posed certain requirements to Armenia regarding opposition rights in parliament, electoral code, judiciary, and human rights in terms of freedom of assembly. Armenian authorities made endeavors towards the fulfillment of the resolutions’ requirements, as the contrary would mean suspension of the voting right of the Armenian delegation in PACE. During June 2008 part-session PACE adopted Resolution 1620, which mostly welcomed the progress achieved by the Armenian authorities in addressing the demands of Resolution 1609, but also reiterated the need for pluralistic media, raised the issue of detained persons, and called on other requirements of Resolution 1609 to be sufficiently fulfilled by the opening of PACE January 2009 part-session. The paper also analysis all the major legislative developments in Armenia after the adoption of Resolutions 1609 and 1620 The paper provides a thorough understanding of the current political situation and analyses patterns of advancing democracy in Armenia. Further, it proposes recommendations which could be practical and working.