IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED IN ARMENIA'S HUMAN RIGHTS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 YEREVAN 002663

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, DRL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV AM
SUBJECT: IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED IN ARMENIA'S HUMAN RIGHTS
OMBUDSMAN OFFICE

REF: YEREVAN 313

(U) Sensitive but Unclassified. Please protect
accordingly.

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SUMMARY
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1. (SBU) A recent report sponsored by the UN
Development Program confirms that Armenia's Human
Rights Ombudsman's office suffers from internal
disorganization and an externally perceived lack of
independence. During its first year of operation, the
ombudsman's office has sent mixed messages and achieved
few concrete results. The ombudsman accepted the
report's recommended reforms, but may lack the vision
to enact the suggested changes. End Summary.

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DISORGANIZATION IN THE OFFICE
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2. (SBU) According to the report's author, Dean
Gottehrer, Armenia's Human Rights Ombudsman's office
suffers from internal disorganization. His comments to
members of the international community previewed an
upcoming written report, sponsored by UNDP. In his
comments, Gottehrer described office workflow as
"circular" because the ombudsman personally makes all
major decisions on each complaint. While the report
commended the office for its mission statement, it also
noted that the statement had been created without the
input of major interest groups. As a result, the
office finds itself tossed between the priorities of
the Government, NGOs, the media, and citizen
complainants.

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UNCLEAR PURPOSE
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3. (SBU) Local NGOs have told Post they feel uneasy in
dealing with the ombudsman's office. They believe the
office is too closely linked to the executive branch
because the Armenian president appoints the ombudsman.
(Note: The Armenian National Assembly has introduced a
package of proposed constitutional amendments for a
2005 referendum which include a provision to transfer
the power of appointing the ombudsman to the National
Assembly. End Note.)


4. (SBU) Post has observed that the ombudsman's office
has sent mixed messages and achieved few concrete
results during its first year of operation. We
welcomed the appointment of the current incumbent,
Larissa Alaverdian in February 2004 (reftel),but were
disappointed by her inaction or misdirection on several
issues during the year. At our suggestion, the office
verified the number of detainees held during spring
political protests, but initiated little further
action. At a September meeting with us, Alaverdian had
difficulty articulating priorities for her office and
seemed consumed with minor intra-governmental
squabbles. After the Jehovah's Witnesses were recently
registered in Armenia, Alaverdian stated publicly that
she saw herself as a defender of the Armenian public
against the group's door-to-door visits. (Note: In a
separate meeting with President Kocharian's top aide,
we underscored the positive impression the decision to
register the Jehovah's Witnesses had made. He agreed,
and added that, despite public pressure, the GOAM would
not reverse this decision. End Note.)

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COMMENT: OLD HABITS DIE HARD
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6. (SBU) Alaverdian has expressed interest in improving
her office and in Gotteher's recommendations in
particular, including restructuring tasks, seeking
input from key stakeholder's groups, and revising the
office's mission statement. She immediately went on,
however, to list what she wants from the GOAM and the
international community. She focused on obtaining
tangible assets such as branch offices and computers
rather than the internal processes suggested by the
report. As in the September meeting with us, she
seemed to lack a clear sense of priorities and
emphasized building the Human Rights Ombudsman's
office's prestige rather than its capacity. Despite
her many good intentions, Alaverdian may lack the
experience and vision for creating a new, efficient
institution in Armenia.
EVANS