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ARF-D leader Vahan Hovhannisyan has dismissed as a publicity stunt ANC calls for a joint fight by the country’s leading opposition groups for the proper conduct of upcoming elections, while Deputy – NA Speaker Edward Sharmazanov (HHK) has ruled out any further reform of the election code. Hovhannisyan has questioned the sincerity of the ANC proposal to draft fresh and radical amendments to Electoral Code. He said the bloc led by former President Levon Ter-Petrosian “mocked” the parliamentary opposition parties when they tried to push such changes through the government-controlled parliament earlier this year. “At that time it would not have hurt to have the support of the street, so to speak,” Hovhannisyan told a news conference. RFE/RL
Among 900,000 women of reproductive age in Armenia, 0.8% have had a sex-selective abortion in the last 5 years, meaning that the country loses approximately 1,400 potential future mothers, since boys are preferred over girls, according to the results of a new survey conducted by UNFPA Armenia in cooperation with the RA Ministry of Health, the National Statistical Service, and the Armenian National Institute for Reproductive Health. The report on the "Prevalence and Reasons of Sex-Selective Abortions in Armenia" was presented on 19 December. Recall that a PACE resolution adopted on 3 October 2011 called for Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, to investigate the reasons for their skewed sex ratios at birth. Epress.am, Public Radio
Two life-termers in Armenia’s Nubarashen penitentiary have gone on a hunger strike. Arthur Mkrtchyan, who does not plead guilty to the crime he is charged with, began the strike on 7 December (13 days ago), and according to a statement by the Ministry of Justice, is under medical supervision. Another life termer, Emil Verdyan, who’s application to the court on reconsidering his imprisonment term has been rejected, joined the strike recently. Both prisoners have been transferred to separate cells. A1+
According to Justice Minister Hrayr Tovmasyan, death cases in Armenia’s penitentiary institutions have reduced in 2011 compared to last year: 26 vs. 37 in 2010. During a 17 December press conference Tovmasyan also discussed the steps taken toward building a new penitentiary institution in Armavir, in accordance to European standards, which may operate in mid-2013. News.am
The CoE Venice Commission will shortly publicize its opinion and recommendations to the Government of Armenia concerning the draft law on Alternative Service. In an interview with ArmInfo, VC rapporteur Richard Clayton (UK) said “in the whole, the Law on Alternative Service, as well as the following amendments submitted by the Government of Armenia do not meet the international standards of human rights.” ArmInfo
ECtHR has accepted an appeal from four former Armenian MFA staff, who said they were wrongly fired in 2008 for comments they made about post-election violence. Former head of the MFA’s press service Vladimir Karapetyan, head of NATO department Martha Ayvazyan, head of US and Canada department Karine Afrikyan, and adviser of Europe department Arakel Semirjyan, claim that former Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian violated their civil rights when he fired them for criticism they levied at authorities in power on March 1, 2008, when 10 people were killed, hundreds were injured and dozens arrested during the unrest. ArmeniaNow.com
The Military Police of Armenia (under MoD) will get a new head shortly after the dismissal of Aram Ter-Sahakyan on 17 December. The press has named Armen Sahakyan, heading the Control Office of the Defense Ministry, to be the most likely candidate for the new head of the Military Police. Yerkir daily, ArmInfo
Please use calendar box on the right side to select news digest for the day of your interest. Please note that digests below are sorted in cronologic order.
