“CONSTITUTIONAL CULTURE” INTERNATIONAL ANALYTICAL CENTER” FOUNDATION (CCIAC)
News
On 14 – 15 December 2018, Dr. Gagik Harutyunyan, the Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Armenia, the President of the Board of Trustees of “The Constitutional Culture” International Analytical Centre participated in the activities of the 117th Plenary session of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.
Within the frames of the 117th Plenary Session, upon the decision of the Board of Trustees of the “The Constitutional Culture” International Analytical Centre Dr. Gagik Harutyunyan, awarded Mr. Gianni Buquicchio, the President of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe with the Order of “The Constitutional Culture” International Analytical Centre for the outstanding contribution in the field of law.
The abovementioned Order is awarded for the significant contribution in the field of law, for the implementation of legal initiatives and programs of distinguished importance and for the outstanding impact in the field of promotion of constitutional culture on the international level.
VISIT TO TSITSERNAKABERD
On November 2, within the framework of the International Conference on “The New Millennium Constitutionalism”, foreign high-ranking officials visited the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex and laid flowers at the eternal fire, and paid tribute to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide, as well as visited the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute and learnt about the history and exhibits of that period.
November 1, 2018
SOLUTION OF LEGAL AND POLITICAL SITUATION SHOULD BE SOUGHT IN THE CONSTITUTION
“Despite the fact that constitutionalism as the materialization of the modern legal state has long been rooted in the developed democratic states and is being rooted in countries that took the path of democracy and the rule of law, including the Republic of Armenia, the main issue of rooting constitutionalism remains to be more than actual," said the President of the Constitutional Court at the International Conference on “The New Millennium Constitutionalism”. Hrayr Tovmasyan, highlighting the existence of similar professional and practical exchange platforms between Armenian and foreign partners, noted that he anticipates open and sincere discussions that will reveal the challenges in different countries as well as outline the possible ways to overcome them.
According to Mr. Tovmasyan, the constitutionalism is, first of all, the implementation of the constitutional value system which requires proper legal and political culture, broad public consensus on constitutional fundamental values, culture of consistent application of rights, effective procedures for ensuring the rule of law, viable state institutions and civil society institutions, as well as the public imperative and the requirement to fulfill unconditionally the commandments of the Constitution. Touching upon the title of the Conference, the President of the Constitutional Court noted that in the new millennium, the so-called fraudulent constitutionalism or imitation of constitutionalism challenge the constitutionalism. It is no less dangerous than the lack of constitutionalism. Therefore, in any State, any legal and political solution must be sought in the constitution; other route is fraught with legal uncertainty with all its possible consequences.
The International Conference on “The New Millennium Constitutionalism” is ongoing in the Constitutional Court on November 1-2. The goal of the Conference is to reveal the challenges in ensuring the constitutionalism in the 21st century and to discuss the mechanisms of ensuring the constitutionalism. The topics discussed are as follows: current challenges to justice and constitution, particularly, effective justice monitoring, judicial power in crisis situations, further strengthening of democracy through the rule of law, etc. Foreign high-ranking guests, amongst them the Chairman of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, the Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Mongolia, the Vice President of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina and other high-ranking officials, law scholars, participate in the Conference. Tomorrow the Conference starts at 9:00 am, the fourth plenary session will be chaired by Ms. Ivana Hrdlickova, President of the UN Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
The International Conference on “The New Millennium Constitutionalism” will be held at the Constitutional Court on 1-2 November, at 09:30.
The goal of the Conference is to reveal the main issues and mechanisms of ensuring the constitutionalism in the 21st century.
The Conference will be attended by the Chairman of the Venice Commission, the Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Mongolia, the Vice President of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, judges of constitutional and supreme courts, the representative of OSCE/ODIHR, judges of different international tribunals of the UN, advocates, and other high-ranking foreign officials.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
Organized on November 1-2 , 2018 in Yerevan, Armenia
Organizers: “CONSTITUTIONAL CULTURE” INTERNATIONAL ANALYTICAL CENTER, CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA, CENTER OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL LAW OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
Topic
“Constitutionality in the New Millenium”
The official languages of the Conference are Armenian, English and Russian.
For more information regarding the Conference please contact the Organizational Team by the contacts provided below:
Contact Information
Tel.: (+374 11) 588181 / extension 180
Fax: (+374 10) 529 991
E-mail: president@constculture.org
November 18, 2017
MEETING AT THE HOLY SEE
On November 18, within the framework of the International Conference in Rome, Mr G. Harutyunyan, the President of the RA Constitutional Court, the President of the Board of Trustees of “The Constitutional Culture” International Analytical Centre met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of the Holy See.
Mr Harutyunyan informed the Secretary of State about the objectives of the creation of “The Constitutional Culture” International Analytical Centre, the programs implemented and the upcoming events. At the request of the Secretary of State, Mr Harutyunyan presented the program of the International Conference on “Challenges of Spiritual and Legal Behavior of Contemporary Individual and Imperatives of their Overcoming”, as well as the key issues discussed within the framework of the Conference.
During the meeting, the parties touched upon the necessity of adopting a more consistent approach to the issue of persecution of Christians in the Near East and the protection of their rights.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN ROME
On November 17-18, the International Conference on “Challenges of Spiritual and Legal Behavior of Contemporary Individual and Imperatives of their Overcoming” was organized in the Great Hall of the Pontifical Oriental Institute of Rome, by “The Constitutional Culture” International Analytical Centre and “The Center of the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Armenia”, in association with the Pontifical Oriental Institute of the Holy See. The Conference was attended by the delegations of the Constitutional Courts of a number of countries, senior officials of the Holy See, well-known constitutionalists from Austria, Hungary, Russia, Slovenia, Georgia, Macedonia, Serbia, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, France and Tajikistan.
H.E. Prof. GagikHarutyunyan, the President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, the President of the Board of Trustees of “The Constitutional Culture” International Analytical Centre, and Rev. Fr. David Nazar SJ, the Rector of the Pontifical Oriental Institute delivered welcoming addresses. The opening speeches were made by H.E. Mr. Gianni Buquicchio, the President of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, H. Em. Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, H. Em. Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio, the President of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, Rev. Fr. Georges H. Ruyssen, SJ, the Dean of the Faculty of Canon Law of the Pontifical Oriental Institute.
At I Plenary Session (Chair: Prof. Andras Sajo, the Central European University, the former Vice-President of the European Court of Human Rights) the following presentations were made: “Imperatives of Constitutionalization of Social and Legal Behavior of Human Being” by Prof. Gagik Harutyunyan, the President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, the President of the Board of Trustees of “The Constitutional Culture” International Analytical Centre, “The Value of the Individual in Contemporary Constitutional Culture and the Ethico-Legal Challenges of Biomedicine” by Dr. Ann Power-Forde, the Presiding Constitutional Court Judge Kosovo Specialist Chambers, the former Judge of the European Court of Human Rights, “Legal Subjectivity of Nasciturus and His Right to Life” by Dr. Boštjan M. Zupancic, LL.M., S.J.D. (Harv.), the Professor of Law, the former Judge of the European Court of Human Rights, “Human Dignity and the Right to Life” by Prof. Robert Spano, the Judge and President of Section of the European Court of Human Rights. The topics covered in the presentations were discussed at questions and answers session.
At II Plenary Session (Chair: Prof. Gagik Harutyunyan, the President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, the President of the Board of Trustees of “The Constitutional Culture” International Analytical Center) the following presentations were made: “Current Challenges to the Spiritual Character of a Modern Individual: the Role of State and Church in their Overcoming” by Archbishop Yeznik Petrosyan, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the General Secretary of the Bible Society of Armenia, “Solidarity in Contemporary Constitutional Thought” by Prof. Andras Sajo, the Central European University, the former Vice-President of the European Court of Human Rights, “Dialectics between Value and Values: A Philosophical Perspective on Historical Evolution and Contemporary Problems” by H.G. Levon Zekiyan, the Archieparch of Catholic Armenians of Istanbul and Turkey, Professor at the Pontifical Oriental Institute.
The topics covered in the presentations were discussed at questions and answers session.
At III Plenary Session (Chair: Ms. Vesna Ilic-Prelic, the President of the Constitutional Court of Serbia) the following presentations were made: “From Constitutional Objective to Constitutional Imperative. A Сase Study of Abolition of Capital Punishment by Judicial Review” by Prof. Bakhtiyar Tuzmukhamedov, the Vice-President of the Russian Association of International Law, Member-elect of the Committee Against Torture, Judge (retired) of the Appeals Chamber of the UN International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda and for the former Yugoslavia, “A Sacred Book of Constitution: Values, Ideals and Rights in a Post-Soviet Reality” by Prof. KonstantineVardzelashvili, Ilia State University Law School, the Former Vice-Chair of the Constitutional Court of Georgia, the Former Member of the UN Human Rights Committee.
The topics covered in the presentations were discussed at questions and answers session.
At IV Plenary Session (Chair: Dr. Boštjan M. Zupancic, LL.M., S.J.D. (Harv.), Professor of Law, the former Judge of the European Court of Human Rights) the following presentations were made: “The Constitutional Culture “Enlightenment approach” in the “Post-Secular age” - A Few Contemporary Balkans Insights” by Prof. Tanja Karakamisheva-Jovanovska, PhD, the Member of the Venice Commission and full time Constitutional law Professor at the Faculty of Law “Iustinianus Primus” Skopje, Republic of Macedonia, “Legal Implementation of Ethno-Religious Values in the Constitutional Development of States” by Dr. Aleksei Liverovskii, Professor, the Scientific Director of the Faculty of Law of St. Petersburg State University of Economics (UNECON), Head of the Department of Constitutional Law.
The topics covered in the presentations were discussed at questions and answers session.
Within the framework of the Conference, the solemn ceremony of awarding the Order for Outstanding Contributions in the Field of Law for the Humanitarian Mission, established by the “The Constitutional Culture” International Analytical Centre took place. By the decision of the Board of Trustees of the “The Constitutional Culture” International Analytical Centre in honor of Mr Varuzhan Burmayan, the Order was awarded to Mrs. Hilda Tiruhi Burmayan, his wife.
On November 18, two round tables were organized where the methodology of the constitutional monitoring by G. Harutyunyan, H. Sargsyan and R. Gevorgyan was presented.
At the end of the International Conference, reception on behalf of H.E. Mr. Mikayel Minasyan, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of the Republic of Armenia to the Holy See was organized for the participants of the International Conference and representatives of the diplomatic corps, during which the presentation of the Stand Together program for the protection of Christian rights in the Near East was presented.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN ROME
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8_zD6S510Y, ArmeniaTV News, Published on Nov 20, 2017)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY3lhEGcx_c&feature=youtu.be,
Post Factum, Published on Nov 26, 2017)
“The Constitutional Culture” International Analytical Center and “The Center of the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Armenia”, by the support of the Holy See and the Pontific Oriental Institute are co-organizing an international conference titled “Challenges of Spiritual and Legal Behavior of the Contemporary Individual and Imperatives of Their Overcoming”, to be convened in Rome on 17 – 18 November 2017.
It is also scheduled to organize two Round Table discussions within the framework of the Conference with wide international representation on the following topics:
a) The Role of Constitutional Culture in the Spiritual Character of Contemporary Individual;
b) The Spiritual Values in the Axiological System of Contemporary Constitutions.
The key note speakers of the conference are prominent experts of constitutional law, such as Dr. Andras Sajo, Dr. Bostjan Zupancic, former Judges of European Court of Human Rights, Dr. Robert Spano, the Judge and President of Section of the European Court of Human Rights, Dr. Ann Power, the Judge of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, Dr. Christoph Degenhart, Professor at the University of Leipzig, Dr. Bakhtiar Tuzmukhamedov, the former Judge of the Appeal Chamber of International Criminal Tribunals for former Yugoslavia and Rwanda as well as other prominent constitutionalists. Dr. Gianni Buquicchio, the President of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe will participate in the Opening Ceremony of the Conference.
Program of the International Conference on
“Challenges of Spiritual and Legal Behavior
of Contemporary Individual and Imperatives
of their Overcoming”,
Rome,
November 17-18, 2017
The Booklet of “The Constitutional Culture” International Analytical Center
INVITATION FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
From October 30 to November 3, at the invitation of the Faculty of Law and the Center for Public Law at the University of Cambridge (Great Britain), Mr G. Harutyunyan, President of the RA Constitutional Court, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the International Analytical Center “Constitutional Culture,” delivered a lecture on “The main tendencies of constitutional developments in the countries of Eastern Europe and the former USSR” for academic staff of the Public Law Center at the University of Cambridge. The participants raised several questions, a number of important and precedentail decisions of the RA Constitutional Court were analyzed, as well as the characteristic features of the constitutional developments in the Republic of Armenia were analyzed in the framework of comparative analysis.
Within the framework of the working visit, Mr Harutyunyan had meetings with Professor Richard Fentiman, Chair of the Faculty of Law at the University of Cambridge, Professor David Feldman, Director of the Center for Public Law, and Mr David Wills, Squire Law Librarian. Mr Harutyunyan presented his new monographs in English to the library of the Faculty of Law and the Center for Public Law at the University of Cambridge.
During the meeting with the Chair of the Faculty of Law at the University of Cambridge, issues of current constitutional and legal developments in the Republic of Armenia, and the main domestic and international approaches to the issues of formation and development of constitutional culture were considered.
During the meeting with the Director of the Center for Public Law at the University of Cambridge, the main perspectives of further cooperation with the Center were considered. The parties specifically outlined the need for active steps to expand cooperation of the Center for Public Law and the International Analytical Center “Constitutional Culture.”
EXHIBITION “CONSTITUTION AND CULTURE” DEDICATED TO THE DAY OF THE CONSTITUTION
On July 4, an exhibition of works by the artist Rudik Petrosyan was opened in the Constitutional Court, which was dedicated to the Day of the RA Constitution.
“Constitution and Culture” is the name given to the event by the initiator of the exhibition Gagik Harutyunyan, President of the RA Constitutional Court. The idea of the exhibition was born as a result of the friendship of the statesman and the painter, and the occasion was the presentation of the English monograph “Constitutional Culture: the Lessons of the History and the Challenges of the Time” by Gagik Harutyunyan (in Strasbourg), where T. Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe said the following: “Constitutional culture becomes an Armenian brand”.
The exhibition featured about 30 paintings by Rudik Petrosyan, among which the special place took the triptych “BIRTH OF THE CONSTITUTION” created by the artist.
Gregory the Illuminator and King Trdat are on the right side of the triptych. With a future-oriented gaze they symbolize the adoption of Christianity as the state religion in Armenia, as well as the systemic and value orientation of the Armenian people. In the centre of triptych the portrayal of abstract representation of perception of Ashtishat Assembly dated 365A.D. is presented, which with unique skills portrays: a) people with an unwavering will to self-knowledge and life in accordance with constitutional canons, b) harmony of the symbol of justice with public mood, c) creation of the Constitution by the wise men in the current social environment. These summarize the definition of the notion “constitution” presented in the New Haikazyan Dictionary of the Armenian Language published in 1837 in Venice as “Determination of borders and the Divine Providence”. On the left side of triptych is portrayed the Armenian historian Movses Khorenatsi, who assessed the canonical Constitution adopted by the Ashtishat Assembly as “established mercy through canonical constitution” which is inscribed on the parchment hold by the angels.
The exhibition featured also the paintings by artist Mary Petrosyan, daughter of Rudik Petrosyan.
The new published book “Constitutionalism: issues of diagnostics, monitoring and management” by Gagik Harutyunyan, President of the RA Constitutional Court, and H. Sargsyan and R. Gevorgyan, professors of Yerevan State University was also presented to the participants.
NEW BOOK OF ENCYCLOPEDIC VALUE
At the initiative of Professor G. Harutyunyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the International Analytical Center “Constitutional Culture”, and with the blessing of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, the author’s collective is preparing to publish the two-volume book “Axiological Origins of Constitutional Culture in the Millennial Chronicle of the First Nation to Adopt Christianity as a State Religion”.
Secular and ecclesiastical specialists are involved in the preparation of the publication, and their regular working meeting was held on June 21, 2017.
The work of the author’s group and the editorial team is coordinated by Professor G. Harutyunyan. The editorial staff includes Arthur Vagharshyan, Head of the Chair of Theory and History of State and Law of the Yerevan State University, Artak Movsisyan, Acting Head of the Chair of the History of Armenia, and Supreme Archimandrite Shahe Ananyan, representative of the Supreme Patriarch.
Themes of the sections of the two-volume book will be presented by Artak Movsisyan, Azat Bozoyan, Aleksan Hakobyan, Ashot Voskanyan, Arman Yeghiazaryan, Gagik Harutyunyan, Gegham Badalyan, Grigor Tananyan, Hayrapet Margaryan, and Narine Mirzoyan.
This voluminous work will include various pages of the history of development of social relations, beginning with the ancient Armenian kingdoms (from Aratta to Urartu) to our times. In this work, the authors will disclose the historical necessity of convening the Secular Assemblies and then the National Ecclesiastical Assemblies, the peculiarities of their organization, as well as the scientific and legal role and significance of the adopted canonical constitutions. In the framework of a comprehensive comparative analysis, the National Ecclesiastical Assemblies of Vagharshapat, Ashtishat, Shahapivan, Dvin, Karin, Aghvаnk, Partav, Manazkert, Shirakavan, Ani, Hark, Lori, Dzagavan, Shugri, Homkla, Tarson, Sis, and Adana, as well as the “Armenian Book of Canons”, the scientific and legal heritage of Sahak Partev, David Alavkavordi, Nerses the Gracious, Mkhitar Gosh, and Smbat Sparapet, as well as the Lawcode of Polish Armenians, the Lawcode of Astrakhan Armenians, “The Snare of Glory” by Shahamirians, and the National Constitution of the West Armenians will be presented. The two-volume book will also be presented in English, and the broad international community will have an opportunity to get familiar with the formation and development of the Armenian legal and constitutional culture.
The book will be published in the spring of 2018.
RECEPTION AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
On February 6, Arpine Hovhannisyan RA Minister of Justice, Members of the Constitutional Court, Gevorg Danielyan,President of the Council of the Center of Constitutional Law, Hrayr Tovmasyan Head of the NA Staff, Academician Gagik Ghazinyan, Vardan Poghosyan, head of the legal project of the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), Grigor Muradyan, Head of Legal Department of the Staff of the RA President, Karen Matevosyan, President of Administrative Court, lawyers and constitutionalists were present at the reception dedicated to 21st anniversary of establishment of the RA Constitutional Court.
G. Harutyunyan, President of the Constitutional Court greeted the participants, congratulated on 21st anniversary of establishment of the CC and introduced the recent achievements of the RA CC underlining some important and significant events.
Mr. Harutyunyan highlighted the event organized in the scopes of the joint project of the Council of Europe and the European Union, where the first volume of the guidebook “Legal positions expressed in the decisions of the RA Constitutional Court and their implementation” (compiled with the assistance of the CC members and edited by Gevorg Danielyan, Adviser of the CC) was presented. Publication of 942 page voluminous book was implemented by the financial assistance of the European Union and the Council of Europe within the framework of joint project “Strengthening the independence, professionalism and accountability of justice system in Armenia” of the European Union and the Council of Europe.
This book presents the legal positions expressed in the decisions of the Constitutional Court and the process of their implementation. The book is designed for judges, officials, specialists, theorists involved in legal studies, as well as for the public. The legal positions expressed in the book are presented in the grounds of development of our legal system. The second volume is in the process of publication, which would include certain queries expressed in the annual reports of the Constitutional Court, and the latter would play significant role for further development of legal system.
The RA Constitution in four languages (Armenian, Russian, German and English) published by the initiative of the legal project of the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), as well as “Almanac” based on the materials of Pan-European International Conference held in Yerevan (which were successfully presented in Strasbourg recently) were also presented at the meeting. The Russian version of the issue of journal “Constitutional Justice” (which includes the main list of indicators of constitutional monitoring for the first time) was presented likewise.
This is important as the rest of the world now works in the way to develop such a system. In 2011 it was initiated by the UN, and in 2012 a system of indicators was developed. This publication actually suggests an open discussion by delivering the journal to more than 40 countries. A special working group has been formed in Armenia (at Yerevan State University) which deals with methodological issues and in nearest future, with the help of this method and indicators, assessment of constitutionality and constitutional culture for over 140 countries is planned.
It was also mentioned that the solemn ceremony of establishment of International Analytical Center “Constitutional Culture” foundation was held in Strasbourg. This newly created center has been already joined by 40 constitutionalists from 18 countries. During the reception the website of International Analytical Center “Constitutional Culture” foundation was introduced. It will contain an electronic journal, where materials of different authors will be published. The website was introduced by presenting images and video materials.
At the presentation the canvas of the painter Rudik Petrosyan “Birth of the Constitution” created on the basis of historical events (particularly, Ashtishat assembly) was introduced. It actually becomes one of the symbols of International Analytical Center “Constitutional Culture”.
А BOOK WHICH DESERVED PAN-EUROPEAN ATTENTION
In October 2016 the International Pan-European Conference organized by the RA Constitutional Court and Venice Commission was held, and Thorbjorn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe and Guido Raimondi, President of the European Court of Human Rights greeted the Conference with video-addresses. Simultaneously, the presentation of the International Analytical Center “Constitutional Culture” foundation was held. Prior to that the presentation of the book “Constitutional Culture: Lessons of History and Modern Challenges” (in Armenian) of Gagik Harutyunyan, President of the RA Constitutional Court, Doctor of Law, Professor was held.
And now, the English version of the book was presented in Strasbourg.
On January 26, in the premises of the Council of Europe, the event dedicated to the issues of constitutional culture organized together with the International Analytical Center “Constitutional Culture”, the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) and permanent representation of the Republic of Armenia was held.
T. Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, G. Buquicchio, President of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, A. Sajó, Vice-President of the European Court of Human Rights, judges of ECHR, members of diplomatic corps accredited to the Council of Europe, members of Armenian and foreign delegations and other officials were present at the event.
G. Harutyunyan, President of the RA Constitutional Court, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of International Analytical Center “Constitutional Culture”, member of the Bureau of the Venice Commission, Doctor of Law, Professor held an opening speech. He informed that in the framework of the 16-th anniversary of membership of Armenia to the Council of Europe, this event was dedicated to the foundation of International Analytical Center “Constitutional Culture” and publication of “Constitutional Culture: Lessons of History and Modern Challenges” monograph (in English), publication of the RA Constitution in four languages and almanac of the materials of Pan-European Conference held on October 20-23, 2016 in Yerevan.
In his address T. Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe emphasized the active participation of the Republic of Armenia in all initiatives of the Council of Europe. “We are devoted to the Armenia which is stable, prosperous and looking to the future,” said Mr. Jagland, “Our relations are bilateral, and I appreciate the strong commitment of Armenia to dialogue and cooperation ... We appreciate the honest and engaged way by which Armenia is approaching various proposals.”
The English monograph “Constitutional Culture: Lessons of History and Modern Challenges” was presented by Alvina Gyulumyan, member of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia who emphasized the practical and scientific importance of the book in the establishment of constitutional culture in the member states of Council of Europe.
Vardan Poghosyan, head of the legal project of the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), substitute member of the Venice Commission presented the recently published the 2015 edition of the amended Constitution in four languages.
The reception was followed.
Video gallery
Address by T. Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe [mp4, 9.1 mb]
Speech by A. Gyulumyan, member of the RA Constitutional Court [mp4, 10.7 mb]
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW CENTER
On October 21, a reception on behalf of Mr. Serzh Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia was organized at the Receptions House of the Government of the Republic of Armenia in honor of the Participants of Yerevan International Conference, organized by the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, European Commission for Democracy through Law of the Council of Europe (Venice Commission), Conference of the Constitutional Control Organs of the Countries of New Democracy, Center of the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Armenia (with the support of the Armenian Office of the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ).
During the reception, the Solemn Ceremony of Establishment of the Foundation “International Public Analytical Center “Constitutional Culture”” took place.
Mr. G. Harutyunyan, President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia mentioned the necessity of establishing the Center and its main functions.
The idea of establishing the Center found a great response and received an offer of cooperation from a number of international analytical centers and individual experts, and it will carry out its functions with a wide involvement of the latter. In particular:
- conducting analytical work on issues of constitutional culture, as well as organization of international conferences, scientific and practical discussions;
- functional and institutional arrangements in different countries on the implementation of effective systems of diagnostics of constitutionalism and constitutional monitoring;
- preparation and publication of opinions about the real situation in connection with the constitutional culture in individual countries;
- active cooperation in this field with a number of international and regional organizations;
- support for civil society institutions on the issue of establishment and acceleration of constitutional culture, conduct of youth festivals and Olympiads;
- publishing the “Constitutional Culture” multilingual journal.
Speech of Dr. Gagik Harutyunyan, the President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, on the occasion of establishment of “CONSTITUTIONAL CULTURE” International Analytical Center (in English, in Russian)
PHILIPPE BOILLAT AT THE RA CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
On October 19, G. Harutyunyan, President of the RA Constitutional Court hosted Philippe Boillat, Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law, Council of Europe. Mr. Boillat was invited by the RA Constitutional Court to participate in Yerevan International Conference.
Mr. Harutyunyan and Mr. Boillat touched upon the issues of organization of the Conference, establishment of International Analytical Center “Constitutional Culture”, legislative reforms in the Republic of Armenia after constitutional reforms, as well as the activities of the RA Constitutional Court.
Mr. Boillat once again affirmed the readiness of the Council of Europe for active promotion in legal reforms in the Republic of Armenia.
Arman Tatoyan, RA Human Rights Defender also participated in the meeting.