Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor

Vanadzor Community Head and Council of Elders were involved in the examination of the claim made by Vanadzor 20 librarians to recognize null and void point 1.1 of 18-A decision – dated April 18, 2017 – of Vanadzor Council of Elders. The representative of the Council of Elders, however, does not appear in the Court.

On December 18, 2018, HCA Vanadzor lawyer Arayik Zalyan – the librarians’ representative – submitted the claim to the Court.

“Vanadzor centralized system of libraries named after Hrant Matevosyan” community non-commercial organization resolved the work contract with the librarians on June 26, 2017, 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.

Their representative Arayik Zalyan mentioned in their claim presented to the Court that Vanadzor Council of Elders’ session dated April 18, 2017, was not legal, quorum was not secured.

It was substantiated by the RA Constitutional Court decision dated November 10, 2017, according to which the Constitutional Court considered the provision of such pluralism of opinions and such a number for a decision to be made by the collegial body, which will ensure the capacity for taking a decision. On this basis, the RA Constitutional Court, by its decision dated November 10, 2017, revoked a number of decisions made by Vanadzor Council of Elders on March 31, 2017.

The aforementioned decision of Vanadzor Council of Elders dated April 18, 2017, was made with the same staff without securing a quorum, pluralism of opinions and legal powers. This means that Vanadzor Council of Elders made a decision without having the authority to do so.

With these substantiations, A. Zalyan claimed to recognize null and void 1.1 point of 18-A decision dated April 18, 2017.

After a few preliminary court sessions in Vanadzor Administrative Court, the trial proceeds.

It should be mentioned that Lori region General Jurisdiction Court also examines the librarians’ claim of their salary for the time period of enforced idleness.