Armenian parliament passes law on meetings in second reading

The National Assembly of Armenia passed the Law "On the Procedure for Holding Gatherings, Meetings, Manifestations, and Demonstrations" on April 27. The law was passed in the second reading with 79 ayes and 2 nays.

90% of proposals forwarded after the first reading were adopted, said Minister of Justice David Arutyunian, who presented the law.

Natalia Vutova, representative of the Council of Europe Secretary General in Armenia, expressed her distinctly negative opinion about the draft law a few days ago.

The draft law conflicts with Article 11 of the European Convention, which secures the right to freedom of assembly. Responding to it, the Armenian minister of justice stated that Ms Vutova's opinion was based solely on the decision of a commission of experts regarding the first variant of the draft law.

The opposition deputies required that the debates about the draft law be postponed until their return to the parliament. Opposition factions of the bloc of political forces Justice and the National Unity party have been boycotting plenary sessions of the National Assembly since February 3.

Editors note: See also the article "European experts: Armenian draft law on meetings conflicts with fundamental human rights".