2015

December 23, 2015

G. HARUTYUNYAN IS REELECTED AS THE MEMBER OF THE BUREAU OF VENICE COMMISSION

On 19 December 2015 at plenary session of the European Commission of Council of Europe "Democracy through Law" / Venice Commission /, whose main members are prominent legal experts representing 60 countries, President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, professor G. Harutyunyan was unanimously re-elected as a member of the Bureau. The elections to the bureau are held in two-year interval.

PRESS SERVICE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

December 3, 2015

GUESTS OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

On December 3, G. Harutyunyan, President of the RA Constitutional Court, hosted Mr. Duglas Wake, Head of OSCE/ODIHR expert group; Vasil Vashchanka, Legal Analyst; and Alexey Gromov, OSCE/ODIHR Election Adviser, who visited Armenia on the occasion of the Referendum on constitutional reforms in Armenia.

At the request of the guests, the President of the RA Constitutional Court briefed the guests with the constitutional legal regulations of organization and conduct of the Referendum in Armenia, and answered the questions regarding the latter.

The members of expert mission expressed their willingness to develop further cooperation.

The RA CC Press Service

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November 20, 2015

WORKING MEETING AT THE RA CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

On November 20, on the initiative of the Council of Pan-Armenian Conference of Lawyers the working meeting “On Overcoming Direct Consequences of the Armenian Genocide " started.

The conference was attended by Armenian and foreign experts of this field. The two-day discussion of the legal issues relating to the genocide issue will bring clarifications the conceptual approaches and the timetable on the main steps undertaken in this field will be developed.

"Legal Research Center of the Armenian Genocide"

November 19, 2015

GUESTS OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

On November 19, G. Harutyunyan, President of the Constitutional Court received the delegation of Tavidyan Family Foundation and Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

The American delegation was comprised of Mr. Aso Tavidyan, President of Tavidyan Family Foundation, Mrs. Joyce Barsam, Vice President Tavidyan Family Foundation, James Stavridis, dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and Professor Richard Schultz, Professor at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

Mr. Harutyunyan presented the guests the functions and role of the Constitutional Court in the legal system of the Republic of Armenia.

Both parties highlighted the necessity of further interaction and need of scientific cooperation between the Constitutional Court and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

The parties also exchanged views on further scientific and legal cooperation.

The RA CC Press Service

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October 23, 2015

IN THE VENICE COMMISSION

On October 22, Gagik Harutyunyan, President of the Constitutional Court, member of the Bureau of Commission the Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) of the Council of Europe, participated in the Venice Commission's Bureau session, where the issues of organization of the Commission's 104th plenary session, as well as, the issues of amending the Constitution of Ukraine were discussed.

On October 23, Mr. Harutyunyan took part at the 104th plenary session of the Venice Commission, which approved the Preliminary Opinion on the draft Amendments, in particular, to Chapters 1 to 7 and 10 and the Second Preliminary Opinion to Chapters 8, 9 and 11 to16, of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia drawn up on the basis of the comments of members of the Commission S.Bartole, A.Endzins, C.Grabenwarter, T.Khabrieva, E. Tanchev, K. Tuorii.

Regarding the issue of constitutional amendments, the members of the Commission T. Khabrieva, E. Tanchev, S. Bartole and A. Endzins highly appreciated the proposed constitutional amendments, describing them as a document which is in conformity with the international democratic standards.

The plenary session of the Venice Commission, which was attended by the representatives of sixty countries, unanimously approved the opinions of the expert group.

Galust Sahakyan, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, informed on progress in the adoption of the constitutional Amendments.

Tomorrow, 24 October the plenary session of the Venice Commission will continue its work.

The RA CC Press Service

October 10, 2015

AT THE XX YEREVAN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

XX Yerevan International Conference continued its work on 10 October.

At the Session 4, which was chaired by Mr. George Papuashvili, President of the Constitutional Court of Georgia, thematic reports were made by Mr. Alexandru Tenase, President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova, Ms. Maya Teodoroiu, Judge of the Constitutional Court of Romania (title of report: "Constitutional Regulations and Contentious Constitutional Issues concerning the Judiciary in Romania"), Mr. Aleksey Liverovskiy, Head of Chair of Constitutional Law at Saint-Petersburg State University of Economy (title of report: "The Objectiveness of the Decisions of the Body of Constitutional Review"), Mr. Uri Shoham, Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of Israel (title of report: “The Supreme Court and Human Rights in Israel”), Mr.Sugar Dulam, Member of the Constitutional Court of Mongolia (title of report: “Access to the Constitutional Court of Mongolia with the Purpose of Protecting the Independence of the Judiciary and its Use") and Mr. Stanislav Danilyuk, Judge of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Belarus (title of report: “The Constitutional-Legal Grounds of the Independence of the Judicial Power in the Republic of Belarus").

Discussion of the reports was afterwards.

At the Session 5, which was chaired by Mr. Aldis Laviņš, President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia, thematic reports were made by Mr. Mahkam Mahmudzoda, President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Tajikistan (title of report: “The Role of the Body of Constitutional Review in the Process of Development of the Rule of Law State”) and Mr. Pawel Wilinski, Deputy Director of Department of Preliminary Review of Applications and Constitutional Complaints of the Constitutional Tribunal of the Republic of Poland (title of report: “Independence of the Judicial Power as the Basic of the Right to Fair Trial in the Jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court of Poland”).

After the discussion of the reports, Mr. Aldis Laviņš, President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia expressed his gratitude to the participants of the Conference, the RA Constitutional Court, in particular, Mr. Harutyunyan, President of the RA Constitutional Court, Mr. Hakobyan, Head of the Staff of the RA Constitutional Court, as well as the interpreters. Thereupon, Mr. Aldis Laviņš gave the floor to Mr. Harutyunyan, President of the RA Constitutional Court to summarize the activities of the Conference.

- I am very pleased that we had such active discussions, - said Mr. Harutyunyan – and a lot of opinions were expressed. It is interesting that as a result of this, many interesting topics for new conferences appeared, which may soon be subject to discussions.

Afterwards, Mr. Harutyunyan touched upon the topic of the Conference and noted that the rapporteurs paid attention to different segments of the independence of the judicial power and tried to consider the issues of functional, material and social independence.

- It is very important, - mentioned Mr. Harutyunyan, - that functional relations between the courts were concretized and clarified in constitutional level. Ensuring necessary and sufficient constitutional guarantees for the independence of the judicial power is first of all the major issue, which also became a matter at issue at this Conference. Those guarantees must be protected by the full-fledged powers of the Constitutional Court. In this case, the constitutional courts will actually have a significant role, since the constitutional courts not only implement the constitutional norm, but also interpret and reveal the constitutional-legal content of that norm.

Mr. Harutyunyan expressed his gratitude to the participants of the Conference for accepting the invitation and for active participation, and wished them good luck.

The Conference completed its work.

For all days of stay in Armenia, the organizers of the Conference provided formal and informal meetings, as well as an interesting cultural program for the participants.

Over the past days, a reception in honor of the participants of the Conference was organized, which was hosted by Mr. Serzh Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia, and afterwards, a reception was organized, which was hosted by Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.

The guests visited the Matenadaran, the Memorial of the Armenian Genocide, Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Yerevan Brandy Factory and Komitas Museum-Institute.

The last day of the Conference ended with an official dinner hosted by the RA Constitutional Court.

The RA CC Press Service

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October 9, 2015

XX YEREVAN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

XX Yerevan International Conference started on 8 October in Yerevan. The Conference was dedicated to the XX Anniversary of Adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia and the XX Anniversary of Establishment of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia. The Conference was organized by the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, the Venice Commission, the Conference of the Constitutional Control Organs of the Countries of New Democracy and the Center of the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Armenia.

Topic: “The role of constitutional courts in strengthening the independence of the judicial power: Doctrinal approaches and contemporary challenges.”

On 8 October, a reception in honor of the participants of XX Yerevan International Conference was organized, which was hosted by Mr. Serzh Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia.

The President of the Republic of Armenia expressed his gratitude to the participants of the Conference for the visit, and emphasized the holding of such conferences. The ceremony of Cancellation of Postage Stamp Issued on the Occasion of the XX Anniversary of Establishment of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia was organized at the Reception House of the Government, in the presence of the participants of the Conference. Postage Stamp depicts the building of the RA Constitutional Court, the Flag of the Republic of Armenia and the symbol of justice - Themis with the Constitution in hand.

Before the meeting with the President, the guests visited the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (the Matenadaran) and got familiar with ancient manuscripts . They also visited the Armenian Genocide Museum and Institute, and took part in the Ceremony of Laying Flowers to the Memorial of the Armenian Genocide and commemorated the victims.

The Session of the Conference was held on 9 October.

Mr. Gagik Harutyunyan, President of the RA Constitutional Court welcomed the guests and made the opening speech:

-“This Conference is exclusive by its jubilee nature: firstly, this is the XX Conference dedicated to the issues of constitutional justice which has become traditional, and which is organized jointly with the Venice Commission; secondly, it is dedicated to the XX Anniversary of Adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia; and thirdly, it is dedicated to the XX Anniversary of Establishment of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia. These triple twentieth anniversaries are not only binding from the perspective of the discussed issues and effective resolution for them, but also they are the evidence of maturity. Maturity – in the sense of compiling great experience in the sphere of constitutional justice. Maturity – in the sense of international cooperation. Maturity – in the sense of the contribution made for ensuring the rule of law and Constitution in our countries.”

Then Mr. Harutyunyan briefed the activities of the RA Constitutional Court and the legal positions expressed in thousands of cases considered by the Court, which essentially aided the development of the law and establishment of constitutionality in our country. Thousands of people could find protection of their rights in the Constitutional Court. Mr. Harutyunyan made certain examples and pointed out that over 150 provisions of laws were declared contradicting the Constitution mainly on the basis of the applications submitted to the Constitutional Court by citizens. Mr. Harutyunyan mentioned that:

-“The Constitutional Court has been able to form new quality of constitutional-legal mentality in our country and a new school of science on constitution which is in concordance with the criteria of the rule of law state. The Constitutional Court has become the moving force for the constitutional-legal thought in the Republic of Armenia. The active role of the Constitutional Court has been signified also at the international stage. The Conference of the Constitutional Control Organs of the Countries of New Democracy, as well as the World Conference of Constitutional Courts have been formed with our active participation, and the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia was honoured with the chairmanship of the first and the chairmanship of the bureau of the second. Our Court is presented at the Bureau of the Venice Commission and is the member of the Conference of European Constitutional Courts.”

Mr. Harutyunyan made a special emphasis on effective cooperation with the Venice Commission, and expressed his gratitude to Mr. Gianni Buquicchio, President of the Venice Commission, who participated in all twenty Yerevan international conferences.

Mr. Gianni Buquicchio, President of the Venice Commission, and Arpine Hovhannisyan, RA Minister of Justice, made welcoming speeches. At the Session 1, which was chaired by Mr. Gianni Buquicchio, thematic reports were made by Mr. Aldis Laviņš , President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia (title of report: “The Role of Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia in Strengthening the Independence of the Judicial Power”), Mr. Sergey Mavrin, Vice President of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation (title of report: “The Autonomy of the Constitutional Court and the Independence of Judicial Power in the Russian Federation”), Ms. Arevik Petrosyan, Member of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia (title of report: “The Role of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia in Strengthening of the Independence of the Judicial Power: Constitutional-Legal Solutions, Contemporary Challenges and Development Tendencies”), and Ms. Ivetta Macejkova, President of the Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic (title of report: “Protecting the independence of the judicial power within the framework of decisions adopted by the Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic”).

Session 1 concluded with the discussion of the reports.

At the Session 2, which was chaired by Mr. Dainius Žalimas, President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania, thematic reports were made by Ms. Anar Zhailganova, Member of the Constitutional Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan (title of report: “The Role of the Constitutional Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Strengthening of the Independence of the Judicial Power”), Mr. Mourad Medelci, President of the Constitutional Council of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria (title of report: “The Algerian Experience in Strengthening the Independence of the Judicial Power”), Ms. Danutė Jočienė, Justice of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania (title of report: “Strengthening the principle of the independence of the Judiciary in the doctrine of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania”), Mr. Nurak Marpraneet, President of the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand (title of report: “The Role of the Constitutional Court of Thailand in Strengthening the Independence of the Judicial Power: Doctrinal Approaches and Contemporary Challenges”) and Ms. Snježana Bagić, Vice President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia (title of report: “Transparent Functioning as a Guarantee of the Public Trust and Confidence in the Work of the Croatian Constitutional Court”).

Discussion of the reports was afterwards.

At the Session 3, which was chaired by Mr. Alexandru Tănase, President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova, thematic reports were made by Mr. André Alen, President of the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Belgium (title of report: “The Role of the Constitutional Court in Strengthening the Independence of the Judicial Power”), Mr. Zhediger Salayev, Member of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of the Kyrgyz Republic (title of report: “The Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of the Kyrgyz Republic and its Role in Strengthening of the Independence of the Judicial Power”) and Ms. Gzime Starova, Judge of the Constitutional Court of the FYR of Macedonia (title of report: “The Role of the Constitutional Courts in Strengthening the Independence of the Judicial Power - with Special Reference on the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Macedonia").

On 9 October, the Session concluded with the discussion of the reports.

On 10 October, the Conference will continue its activities.

The RA CC Press Service

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October 7, 2015

GUESTS AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

A delegation from the Kingdom of Thailand, headed by Mr. Nurak Marpraneet, President of Constitutional Court, visited the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia. The delegation visited Armenia at the invitation of the RA Constitutional Court to participate in XX Yerevan International Conference dedicated to the 20th anniversaries of Adoption of the RA Constitution and Establishment of the RA Constitutional Court.

Mr. Gagik Harutyunyan, President of the RA Constitutional Court introduced the members of the Court and the Staff to the delegation, as well as highlighted the visit of the guests which would be the beginning of further cooperation between the two Courts.

During the meeting, Mr. Harutyunyan and Mr. Marpraneet introduced the structure and functions of the two Courts and made plans for further cooperation.

Mr. Marpraneet expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and reward, and handed over a souvenir to Mr. Harutyunyan as a symbol of his country.

During the visit, the guests were also introduced to the library and the sitting hall of the Constitutional Court.

The RA CC Press Service

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September 16, 2015

MEETING WITH AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN

On September 16, G. Harutyunyan, President of the Constitutional Court, hosted the newly appointed Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Japan Mr. Eiji Taguchi.

Welcoming the guests, Mr. Harutyunyan, first, congratulated the ambassador on assuming the diplomatic mission and expressed the hope that opening of the Embassy will contribute to the further consolidation of the Armenian-Japanese relations.

The both sides also discussed the issues of development of the relations between the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court of Japan.

During the meeting both sides highlighted the importance and significance of further consolidation of the Armenian-Japanese legal dialogue.

The RA CC Press Service

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September 15, 2015

GERMAN AMBASSADOR AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

On 15 September, Mr. Gagik Harutyunyan, the President of the RA Constitutional Court hosted Mr. Matthias Kiesler, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Germany to Armenia.

Mr. Harutyunyan congratulated the Ambassador on his appointment and wished him success in his future activities.

Mr. Gagik Harutyunyan, the President of the RA Constitutional Court introduced the newly appointed Ambassador with the results achieved during the long years of cooperation between the Constitutional Court of Armenia and the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany. The parties outlined the further development of close cooperation that has developed between the courts.

During the meeting, the parties also stressed the importance and significance of further strengthening of the Armenian-German legal collaborations.

The RA CC Press Service

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September 9, 2015

DELEGATION FROM THE RA CONSTITUTIONAL COURT IN BATUMI

The delegation of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia led by the President Mr. G. Harutyunyan will leave for Batumi to participate in the XVIIth Circle of Presidents of the Conference of European Constitutional Courts to be held on September 9-11, 2015 in Batumi.

The thematic framework of the upcoming Congress and several other matters concerning further development of cooperation between European Constitutional Courts will be the subject of discussion.

The RA CC Press Service

June 30, 2015

REFERENCES TO THE VISIT

On June 2, the delegation leaded by Mr. Pavel Rychetský, the President of Czech Constitutional Court visited the RA Constitutional Court. Joint seminar discussions were held during the 3-day visit. The delegation was also hosted by Mr. Serzh Sargsyan, the RA President.

During the visit the guests visited the Memorial of the Victims of Armenian Genocide, Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Zvartnots Temple, Komitas Museum-Institute, Matenadaran and Lake Sevan.

After the visit, Mr. Pavel Rychetský, the President of Czech Constitutional Court sent a note of thanks to Mr. Gagik Harutyunyan, the President of the RA Constitutional Court. The text of the letter is the following:

Dear Mr President!

First of all, I would like to thank you for the great program organized for the delegation of the Czech Constitutional Court last week. Our time in Armenia – which was carefully adjusted – contained interesting legal discussion, as well as high meetings and even sightseeing of many cultural and natural jewels parading Armenia.

Not only the utmost interesting conversations about the scope of powers of your Court, but also debates on the system of division of powers and thoughts on deeper protection of fundamental rights and freedoms proved, that Armenia has at its disposal large number of constitutional experts and that the leading position of its Constitutional Court is without any doubt.

The compliments – presented on behalf of all members of the delegation – go also to the staff of yours, tirelessly having provided a splendid support to all our needs.

Only one question makes me worry: “How could I bring the standard of your next visit to Brno at least closer to the top level set by you”? I do not know it yet, but I promise to make my best in returning your hospitality and friendship in future.

Yours sincerely            JUDr. Pavel Rychetský

President of the Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic

Brno, June 9, 2015

The RA CC Press Service

June 23, 2015

AMBASSADOR'S FAREWELL VISIT

On June 23, the farewell meeting of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany to Armenia Mr. Reiner Morell with the Members and the Staff of the Constitutional Court was held at the RA Constitutional Court.

Mr. Gagik Harutyunyan, the President of the RA Constitutional Court welcomed the guest and introduced him to those present. Mr. Harutyunyan also underlined warm and friendly meetings, and effective cooperation with Mr. Morell during the years of his tenure, also noting the creation of specific relations between Germany and Armenia in the domain of justice.

Close cooperation between the RA Constitutional Court and the constitutional courts of the Federal Republic of Germany was emphasized at the meeting, which has been going on for decades. The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Yerevan, as well as the Yerevan office of the German Society for International Development (GIZ) implementing programs to promote judicial reforms in the South Caucasus, played a significant role in strengthening and developing this cooperation.

This cooperation continues to this day, with the active participation of German experts in the process of constitutional reforms in the Republic of Armenia. Participants of the meeting wished the Ambassador every success.

The RA CC Press Service

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June 22, 2015

AT THE VENICE COMMISSION

103rd Plenary Session of the European Commission for Democracy through Law of the Council of Europe (the Venice Commission) ended, and Mr. Gagik Harutyunyan, the President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, Member of Bureau of the Venice Commission participated in it.

On June 20, the situation of obstruction of justice in the Republic of Turkey became the matter at issue. The same issue was also discussed at the Bureau Session of the Commission on June 18, at the eve of the Plenary Session of the Venice Commission. Mr. Buquicchio, the President of the Venice Commission informed the participants the Plenary Session that the Commission received many letters from Turkish courts, prosecutors and lawyers, which state that the latter suffer persecution. After the amendments to Law on High Board of Judges and Prosecutors in February 2014, the executive power got huge levers of interference in the activities of the judiciary.

In the result of discussions, the Commission approved the statement of the Bureau condemning encroachments on judicial independence in Turkey.

The RA CC Press Service

June 19, 2015

Mr. Gagik Harutyunyan, the President of the RA Constitutional Court, Member of the Bureau of the Venice Commission participated in the 103rd Plenary Session of the Venice Commission, which was held in Venice on June 19. The issue concerning the process of constitutional reforms in the Republic of Armenia was also involved in the Agenda of the Plenary Session. After the reports made by the Members of the Commission Mr. Tuori and Mr Harutyunayan, at the Plenary Session it was stated that, as the rapporteurs of the Commission, Mr. Bartole (Italy), Mr. Endzins (Latvia), Mr. Grabenwarter (Austria), Mr. Tuori (Finland), Mr. Tanchev (Bulgaria) and Ms. Khabrieva (Russia), the Members of the Venice Commission, efficiently collaborate with the Professional Commission for Constitutional Reforms. The Venice Commission recognised the important work done at that stage, approved the schedule of further discussions and assured that, by the results of discussions to be held on July, the group of rapporteurs will presented a summarized opinion on the concept paper on constitutional reforms. In particular, Mr. Tuori emphasized that the discussed constitutional reforms were very positively assessed by the Expert Group.

Mr. Buquicchio, the President of the Venice Commission, summarized the discussion and recognised the important work done. He also emphasized that the Commission is always ready to continue working in that direction.

The activities of the Plenary Session of the Venice Commission will continue tomorrow on June 20, 2015.

The RA CC Press Service

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June 16, 2015

PRESIDENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA WILL DEPART FOR VENICE

On June 18, Mr. Gagik Harutyunyan will participate in the Session of the Bureau of the European Commission for Democracy through Law of the Council of Europe (the Venice Commission).

On June 19 and 20 Mr. Harutyunyan will participate in the Plenary Session of the Venice Commission. The Agenda includes the Report of the experts of the Venice Commission on the process of Constitutional Reforms in the Republic of Armenia.

The RA CC Press Service

June 4, 2015

THE CZECH DELEGATION VISITED TSITSERNAKABERD

On June 3, the delegation leaded by the President of Czech Constitutional Court Mr. Pavel Rychetský visited Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex of the Armenian Genocide.

Members of the delegation put flowers at the eternal fire, visited the Armenian Genocide museum-institute and became familiar with the exhibit. President of the Czech Constitutional Court Mr. Pavel Rychetský left a note at the memory book of honorary guests.

During the visit to Armenia, members of the delegation from Czech Constitutional Court visited Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Zvartnots Temple, Komitas Museum-Institute and Lake Sevan. Members of the delegation also had meetings at Yerevan State University and the RA Court of Cassation.

On June 4, the visit of the delegation from Czech Constitutional Court ended with official reception hosted by Mr. Gagik Harutyunyan, the President of the RA Constitutional Court.

The RA CC Press Service

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June 2, 2015

VISIT OF THE DELEGATION FROM CZECH CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

The delegation leaded by the President of Czech Constitutional Court Mr. Pavel Rychetský visited the RA Constitutional Court on June 2. The delegation included Mr. Jaroslav Fenyk, Vice-President of Czech Constitutional Court; Mr. David Uhlíř, Justice of Czech Constitutional Court; Mr. Vlastimil Göttinger and Ms. Milada Kilianova, staffers of the Constitutional Court.

Especially in the past decade, the RA Constitutional Court actively cooperates with Czech Constitutional Court on bilateral level as well as in the framework of World Congress of Constitutional Justice. The experience of Czech Constitutional Court in cooperation of constitutional courts was underlined at the meeting. The meeting started by seminar discussion on the “Issues of functional cooperation of constitutional and other courts” and the “Institution of individual constitutional complaint in the Czech Republic and the Republic of Armenia.” The Members of the RA Constitutional Court and the staffers participated in the meeting.

The meeting was highlighted also by the fact that in the context of constitutional reforms in the Republic of Armenia, study of the Czech experience was rather interesting, namely, in two main domains: issues of cooperation of constitutional and other courts, and protection of human rights in constitutional courts or the institution of individual constitutional complaint. Czech Constitutional Court has great experience in the above mentioned domains, and it is one of the advanced countries together with Germany, Slovakia and other countries.

Czech achievements in the mentioned issues and possible solutions were discussed at the meeting.

After the two-hour discussion, the guests toured the building of the Constitutional Court, the sitting hall and the conference room. Then the guests visited the Matenadaran.

In the afternoon, Mr. Serzh Sargsyan, the President of the Republic of Armenia hosted the delegation from Czech Constitutional Court and Mr. Gagik Harutyunyan, the President of the RA Constitutional Court.

Тhe visit of the delegation from Czech Constitutional Court continues.

The RA CC Press Service

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May 14, 2015

SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR OF UNITED NATIONS HOSTED AT THE RA CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

On May 13, Gagik Harutyunyan, President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, hosted Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, who visited to Armenia to study the Armenian law issues with respect to children’s rights.

The parties discussed the current situation of protection of children’s rights in Armenia, in particular, in the context of the constitutional reforms and issues related to the further enhancement of legal prerequisites.

The RA CC Press Service

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April 27, 2015

JUDGE FROM ARGENTINA WAS HOSTED AT THE RA CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

In the scopes of events dedicated to commemoration of Centennial of Armenian Genocide, on April 27 G. Harutyunyan, President of the RA Constitutional Court, hosted Noberto Oyarbide, federal judge Argentine.

G.Harutyunyan thanked Mr. Oyarbide for dealing with the issues of Armenian Genocide in Argentine and informed that Research Centre of Legal Issues of Armenian Genocide by Pan-Armenian Forum of Lawyers was established to centralize the studies made in this domain and prepare a feasible international package of legal issues of the Armenian Genocide.

Mr. Oyarbide informed that during his visit to Armenia he received new information and new facts which replenish his materials and valuable information provided by the Armenian community of Argentine. More than 12 000 documents are accumulated and the Armenian community's investment was enormous. He highlighted this work and stated that it could have a very important impact on the processes of recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide in the Latin America.

Noberto Oyarbide, as a federal judge, based on the application submitted by Gregoreo Hayrapetyan, the Armenian citizen of Argentine, considered the case and held a decision by which he confirmed that during 1915-1923 the Turkish Government committed genocide crimes against the Armenian population.

The electronic copy of this decision was passed to Mr. Harutyunyan.

During the meeting the issues of further expansion of Armenian - Argentine relations were discussed.

The RA CC Press Service

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April 15, 2015

GRECO DELEGATION AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

In the framework of evaluation procedure, before presenting the report on the 4th evaluation round of the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), the team of experts visited Armenia.

On April 15, G.Harutyunyan, President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic Armenia hosted the delegation.

The guests were interested in the process of the constitutional amendments in Armenia, particularly in the approach of authorities concerning the issue of the constitutional responsibility. Likewise the team discussed the issues of the approaches concerning the scopes of discretion of powers and resolution of the main issues of reforms in the judicial-legal domain.

The RA CC Press Service

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April 9, 2015

PROFESSOR FROM GERMANY WAS HOSTED AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) implements a number of projects promoting judicial-legal reforms in the countries of the South Caucasus. On April 9, in the framework of these projects G.Harutyunyan, President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, Chairman of the Specialized Commission on the Constitutional Reforms under the RA President hosted Dr. Christoph Degenhart, professor of Leipzig University.

The issues concerning the concept of the constitutional amendments in the RA, upcoming activity of the commission and ongoing cooperation with the GIZ were discussed. The main discussion concerned the issues of guaranteeing human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Vardan Poghossyan, head of the project “Consultation for legal and judicial reforms in the South Caucasus” in Armenia attended the meeting.

The RA CC Press Service

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April 1, 2015

ARMENIAN JUDGE FROM CANADA VISITED THE RA CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

On April 1, Mr. Gagik Harutyunyan, the President of the RA Constitutional Court hosted Mr. Aris Babikian, Judge of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration of Canada. The guest was introduced with the activities of the Constitutional Court. During the conversation Mr. Babikian shared his thoughts on Canadian justice.

Mutual arrangement on further cooperation of Armenian and Canadian specialists in the activities organized by the RA Constitutional Court was reached.

The RA CC Press Service

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March 23, 2015

PRESIDENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA IN VENICE

The Session of the Bureau of the World Conference on Constitutional Justice was held on March 21 in Venice, which was chaired by Dr. Gagik Harutyunyan, President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, Chairman of the Conference of the Constitutional Control Organs of the Countries of New Democracy. The Agenda included a number of issues on further activities of the World Conference, issues concerning discussion of financial report, clarification of working methods of the Organization, strengthening cooperation between the participants, as well as the possible ways and measures to improve working efficiency of the Conference within the period between the meetings of the Congress.

The Session of the Bureau unanimously decided to hold the next Congress of the World Conference on Constitutional Justice in Vilnius (the capital of the Republic of Lithuania) in 2017. Members of regional and linguistic groups participating in the World Conference on Constitutional Justice provided the Bureau with the information on their activities. The Bureau welcomed the initiative of Mr. Harutyunyan, the President of the RA Constitutional Court, to devote one edition of annual bulletin “Constitutional Justice” (Conference of the Constitutional Control Organs of the Countries of New Democracy) to the activities of the World Conference on Constitutional Justice, and publish materials presented by the participants in English and French.

The RA CC Press Service

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March 17, 2015

PRESIDENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA WILL DEPART FOR VENICE

On March 18, the President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia Mr. Gagik Harutyunyan, the member of the Bureau of the European Commission for Democracy through Law of the Council of Europe (the Venice Commission) will participate in the Plenary Session of the Venice Commission and the Sessions of the Bureau of the World Conference on Constitutional Justice.

In the framework of meetings, Mr. Harutyunyan will coordinate the meeting schedule in Yerevan concerning constitutional reforms in the Republic of Armenia with the experts of the Venice Commission.

On March 21, as the Chair of the Bureau of the World Conference on Constitutional Justice, Mr. Harutyunyan will preside at the World Conference on Constitutional Justice, and dozens of issues will be discussed, in particular, the venue and the agenda of the 4th Congress, as well as issues relating the amendments to the regulation.

The RA CC Press Service

March 2, 2015

U.S. AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA VISITED THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

On March 2, 2015 Mr. Gagik Harutyunyan, the President of the RA Constitutional Court hosted Mr. Richard Mills, the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia.

The Ambassador expressed his regret that familiarization meeting was being postponed due to the workload of the President of the Constitutional Court.

Mr. Gagik Harutyunyan briefed the newly appointed Ambassador with the history of the Constitutional Court and the peculiarities of its functions, after, on the guest's request, thoroughly introduced the process of constitutional reforms in Armenia and further actions.

Strengthening the ties between the Embassy of the United States and the RA Constitutional Court was mutually emphasized and arrangement on further cooperation was reached.

The RA CC Press Service

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