YEREVAN (Armenpress)–In a conference organized by the American Bar Association Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative (CEELI) and funded by USAID–Armenian judges–prosecutors–and defense attorneys met in Tsakhkadzor on January 28-30 to discuss three packages of constitutional amendmen’s proposed by Armenia’s various political groups. They were joined by NGO and Media Representatives.
The discussions began by focusing on the section of proposed constitutional amendmen’s related to the judicial system–with each of the groups debating problems and issues of concern.
"Legal professionals of Armenia are very enthusiastic about constitutional reforms and want to contribute to the process. During these roundtables judges–advocates–and prosecutors demonstrated their command of the issue," said ABA/CEELI country director Karen Kendrick.
On the closing day–a joint session summed up the results and drafted a statement on the judicial section of constitutional reforms–providing recommendations for a transparent and more effective functioning judiciary system.
The statement marks the first time the three legal professional groups issue a joint declaration–to demonstrate a common approach and agreement on legal-judicial system reforms.
Founded in 1990–the CEELI is a public service project of the American Bar Association. More than 5,000 legal professionals have contributed over $180 million in pro bono legal services to projects in Central and Eastern Europe and the New Independent States of the Former Soviet Union. Targeting Judicial reform in Armenia–CEELI seeks to enhance the independence–competence–and accountability of judges and to develop resources necessary for the transparent administration of justice.