YEREVAN. – Even though there are numerous progressive steps in Armenia’s draft constitutional amendments, the effective execution of a constitution depends on its immediate enforcement.

Secretary-General of the European Ombudsman Institute, Josef Siegele, noted the above-said at Friday’s discussion entitled, “Human Rights in New Draft Constitution.”

In Siegele’s words, although the draft amendments to Armenia’s Constitution include many provisions in favor of human rights, some of the other articles contain discriminatory restrictions that could limit the activities of civic groups.

He also noted that the state should partially finance the Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) of Armenia because, in his view, this is important in terms of ensuring the financial independence of the Ombudsman.

“I believe there is a need to amend the [Armenian] Law on the Human Rights Defender, so that he be given the right to deal with individual cases, and not make overall analyses only,” stressed the head of the European Ombudsman Institute.