Publications
Articles
13.03.2009 A new electronic document sharing system
Before the end of 2009 23 agencies of state administration, including 10 marzpetarans and 13 ministries will move to “Mulberry” electronic document management system. This suggestion was made by the government staff at the end of 2008. Before now “Mulberry” electronic document management system is fully operational at 5 state agencies of Armenia, viz.: the RA Government Staff, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Territorial Administration and Ministry...
27.01.2009 THE DECISIONS ARE “DECLASSIFIED”
GRISHA BALASANYAN Town mayor Aram Danieylan has not provided the required resolutions until the case brought him to the “doors” of the court. When in September 23, 2003 the RA Law “On Freedom of Information” was adopted, it was expected that henceforward getting information from the state bodies in particular would become easier. But since adoption of the Law, for 5 years now new gimmicks have been found by the officials to avoid working legally and hide the information belonging...
02.12.2008 The Communities are beyond control
GRISHA BALASANYAN As far back as 5 months ago “Aravot” daily applied to some village mayors requesting to provide the copies of the decisions taken by the Council of Elders beginning from the 1st of January up to the day of the request. Village mayors of Dalarik and Apaga villages of Armavir Marz (Province), as well as Lusakunk village of Gegharkunik Marz and Byurakan village of Aragatsotn Marz appeared to be so “secretive”, that we were forced to resend the...
18.11.2008 The Police was forced by the Court to provide information
Naira Bulghadaryan The RA Civil Court of Appeal satisfied the requirement of the public organization (NGO) to get from the police the copies of the documents related to the official investigation. Almost a year long dispute between Vanadzor Office of the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly /hereinafter referred to as the “HCA” Vanadzor Office/ and the RA Police over the right to get information has ultimately resolved at the Court of Appeal. The Court has resolved to...
13.02.2007 Freedom of Information Commissioner
Anna Maralyan The Freedom of Information Commissioner's Office is a public body that is completely independent of the Government in the performance of its functions. It reports directly to the Parliament in majority of states and have an international role as well as a national one. The purpose of creating such an institution was/is to oversee the administration and enforce the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act...
27.01.2007 Free to Improve: Journalists say FOI law needs better application
By Siranouish Gevorgyan ArmeniaNow reporter The Freedom of Information Law of Armenia adopted in 2003 is good, but its application is not good enough. This opinion dominated the “Freedom of Information” workshop in Tsaghkadzor on January 17-18 attended by more than 35 media and NGO representatives. The event was organized by the Armenian FOI Center. “Armenia’s law on freedom of information is very good in the sense that it states expressly what sort...
