Activities | Electoral Process | Right to Vote and to Participate in a Referendum | Joint | Announcements | Civilian Oversight and Monitoring
We assess the 9 December 2018 National Assembly election of Armenia as a free and fair election in which the citizens of Armenia freely expressed their will.
This free, fair, and competitive election—the first in about 23 years—marked a historic turning point and have immense value from a number of perspectives. Free and fair elections are a key achievement in democratization and proof of a society's political maturity and appreciation of the significance of voting.
In this election, Armenia's citizens regained their self-confidence as dignified citizens whose voice and opinion have value and weight. Through the votes, society denounced the dictatorial and decaying system and elected to live in a new and democratic country. The free and fair election put an end to the corrupt system through which thousands of people were taking part in the reproduction of the incumbent and unlawful practices that enjoyed impunity. Elections and their result raised the bar of expectations for all of society.
We, as representatives of the public, having for years defended the fundamental values of democracy, justice, and human rights, expect systemic and in-depth reforms that will enable legislation and practice to put in place and make irreversible the principles and mechanisms of good governance, justice, and respect for human rights.
The role, significance, and modus operandi of the newly-elected National Assembly will need to change in this new situation. Importantly, the newly-elected National Assembly should become a platform for a broad-based platform for public debates on various issues.
We reiterate the need to:
We, the below-signed, hereby express our willingness to invest our potential in overcoming these challenges and carrying out these activities.
Other stakeholders are invited to join the Statement.
Journalists’ Club Asparez
Helsinki Committee of Armenia
Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor Office
Open Society Foundations – Armenia
Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center
Union of Informed Citizens
Support to Women and Children NGO
Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression
Goris Press Club NGO
Public Information and Need of Knowledge NGO (PINK-Armenia)
APR Group
Peace Dialogue NGO
Angel Social educational cultural NGO
Social Support Projects NGO
Haytur social educational cultural NGO
Shirak’s Teachers Union scientific educational center NGO
Free Citizen CISC
Women’s Rights Center NGO
Socioscope NGO
“Sose Women's Issues” NGO
Public Journalism Club
Women in Black Armenia Peacebuilding Initiative
Meghri Women's Resource Center NGO
Ijevan Civic Youth Center NGO
Children’s Society: Support Center for Youth Initiatives NGO
Syuniq Civic Education Center NGO
Karen Tumanyan, Attorney
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