Freedom House Concerned over Constitution Referendum in Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - Freedom House NGO, which researches the freedom in the world, has expressed concern over the referendum on constitutional amendments in Armenia and called to question the referendum returns. "Armenia's priority task is exact application of legislation," stated head of Freedom House Department for Caucasus Affairs Chris Walker. When commenting on the organization annual report, made public December 19, where Armenia was among "partially free" countries, Chris Walker indicated omissions in the country, first of them being in his opinion the holding of the referendum on the Constitution. "We express concern over the Constitution referendum held in Armenia in November. Like other organizations we also call to question the degree of participation, which is surprising under the conditions of indifference peculiar to the society of Armenia," Chris Walker stated. The 2005 report evaluated the work of the judicial and anti-corruption structures in Armenia as "partially free." "Today struggle against economic corruption is the most important issue of Armenian authorities," Mr. Walker said. He highlighted the reform of the Electoral Code and the Constitution as Armenia's achievements in 2005. "Now the Armenian authorities have to implement these documents to provide for progress in the country and poverty reduction in the society," Chris Walker said.