Absence of an acting Ombudsman in Armenia is a clear sign that the country’s authorities lack respect for the institute of human rights defender, according to Heritage opposition party secretary.

As Larisa Alaverdyan, once Ombudsman herself, noted, Armenian authorities could have reasoned with Armen Harutyunyan to keep fulfilling his responsibilities till a new Ombudsman was elected, should they wish it.

Ms. Alaverdyan supported the idea of electing a new Ombudsman out of NGO representatives, charactering them as more unbiased in their work.