Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor

Today, on December 3, 2019, A. Alaverdyan, Judge of Vanadzor Residence of the RA Administrative Court, rejected the claim of 20 librarians from Vanadzor to recognize null and void Vanadzor Council of Elders’  18-A decision 1.1 point, dated April 18, 2017. 

“Vanadzor centralized system of libraries named after Hrant Matevosyan” community non-commercial organization resolved the work contract with the librarians on June 26, 2017, also based on Vanadzor Council Of Elders’ decision 18-A point 1.1 dated April 18, 2017. By the mentioned point, Vanadzor Council of Elders determined the staff list of community non-commercial organization and in compliance with it, the positions of the plaintiff librarians were reduced.

The librarians’ claim was presented to the Court on December 18, 2018, by their representative Arayik Zalyan, who mentioned that Vanadzor Council of Elders’ session dated April 18, 2017, was not legitimate, quorum was not secured.  

It was substantiated by the RA Constitutional Court decision dated November 10, 2017, by which the Constitutional Court found it obligatory to ensure pluralism of opinions and such a number for a decision to be taken by the collegial body, which will ensure the capacity for making a decision. By that decision, RA Constitutional Court recognized null and void a number of decisions made by Vanadzor Council of Elders on March 31, 2017. 

The aforementioned decision by Vanadzor Council of Elders was made on April 18, 2017, in the same way, i.e. without quorum, pluralism of opinions and legitimacy. Thus, Vanadzor Council of Elders made a decision without having the power to make a decision. 

A. Zalyan, representative of the librarians, will appeal the RA Administrative Court decision dated December 3, 2019, in the RA Appeal Court. 

Other details will be presented later.