US embassy cable - 04YEREVAN2663

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 YEREVAN 002663 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, DRL 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: PHUM, PGOV, AM 
SUBJECT:  IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED IN ARMENIA'S HUMAN RIGHTS 
OMBUDSMAN OFFICE 
 
REF:  YEREVAN 313 
 
(U) Sensitive but Unclassified.  Please protect 
accordingly. 
 
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SUMMARY 
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1. (SBU) A recent report sponsored by the UN 
Development Program confirms that Armenia's Human 
Rights Ombudsman's office suffers from internal 
disorganization and an externally perceived lack of 
independence.  During its first year of operation, the 
ombudsman's office has sent mixed messages and achieved 
few concrete results.  The ombudsman accepted the 
report's recommended reforms, but may lack the vision 
to enact the suggested changes.  End Summary. 
 
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DISORGANIZATION IN THE OFFICE 
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2. (SBU) According to the report's author, Dean 
Gottehrer, Armenia's Human Rights Ombudsman's office 
suffers from internal disorganization.  His comments to 
members of the international community previewed an 
upcoming written report, sponsored by UNDP.  In his 
comments, Gottehrer described office workflow as 
"circular" because the ombudsman personally makes all 
major decisions on each complaint.  While the report 
commended the office for its mission statement, it also 
noted that the statement had been created without the 
input of major interest groups.  As a result, the 
office finds itself tossed between the priorities of 
the Government, NGOs, the media, and citizen 
complainants. 
 
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UNCLEAR PURPOSE 
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3. (SBU) Local NGOs have told Post they feel uneasy in 
dealing with the ombudsman's office.  They believe the 
office is too closely linked to the executive branch 
because the Armenian president appoints the ombudsman. 
(Note:  The Armenian National Assembly has introduced a 
package of proposed constitutional amendments for a 
2005 referendum which include a provision to transfer 
the power of appointing the ombudsman to the National 
Assembly.  End Note.) 
 
4. (SBU) Post has observed that the ombudsman's office 
has sent mixed messages and achieved few concrete 
results during its first year of operation.  We 
welcomed the appointment of the current incumbent, 
Larissa Alaverdian in February 2004 (reftel), but were 
disappointed by her inaction or misdirection on several 
issues during the year.  At our suggestion, the office 
verified the number of detainees held during spring 
political protests, but initiated little further 
action.  At a September meeting with us, Alaverdian had 
difficulty articulating priorities for her office and 
seemed consumed with minor intra-governmental 
squabbles.  After the Jehovah's Witnesses were recently 
registered in Armenia, Alaverdian stated publicly that 
she saw herself as a defender of the Armenian public 
against the group's door-to-door visits.  (Note:  In a 
separate meeting with President Kocharian's top aide, 
we underscored the positive impression the decision to 
register the Jehovah's Witnesses had made.  He agreed, 
and added that, despite public pressure, the GOAM would 
not reverse this decision.  End Note.) 
 
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COMMENT:  OLD HABITS DIE HARD 
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6. (SBU) Alaverdian has expressed interest in improving 
her office and in Gotteher's recommendations in 
particular, including restructuring tasks, seeking 
input from key stakeholder's groups, and revising the 
office's mission statement.  She immediately went on, 
however, to list what she wants from the GOAM and the 
international community.  She focused on obtaining 
tangible assets such as branch offices and computers 
rather than the internal processes suggested by the 
report.  As in the September meeting with us, she 
seemed to lack a clear sense of priorities and 
emphasized building the Human Rights Ombudsman's 
office's prestige rather than its capacity.  Despite 
her many good intentions, Alaverdian may lack the 
experience and vision for creating a new, efficient 
institution in Armenia. 
EVANS