DOCSLIB.ORG

Observation of the Early Parliamentary Elections in Armenia (9 December 2019)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Observation of the Early Parliamentary Elections in Armenia (9 December 2019) http://assembly.coe.int Doc. 14801 21 January 2019 Observation of the early parliamentary elections in Armenia (9 December 2019) Election observation report Bureau of the Assembly Rapporteur: Mr Aleksander POCIEJ, Poland, Group of the European People's Party Contents Page 1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 1 2. Political context ........................................................................................................................................ 2 3. Legal framework and electoral system .....................................................................................................3 4. Election administration ............................................................................................................................. 3 5. Voter lists and candidate registration ....................................................................................................... 4 6. Election campaign, funding and the media ...............................................................................................5 7. Complaints and appeals ...........................................................................................................................7 8. Citizen and international observers .......................................................................................................... 8 9. Voting and counting ................................................................................................................................. 8 10. Conclusions and recommendations ..................................................................................................... 10 Appendix 1 – List of the members of the ad hoc committee .......................................................................12 Appendix 2 – Programme of the meetings of the ad hoc committee (7-10 December 2018) ..................... 13 Appendix 3 – Press release of the International Election Observation Mission (IEOM) ..............................15 1. Introduction 1. On 1 November 2018, the President of Armenia, Mr Armen Sarkissian, announced early parliamentary elections to be held on 9 December. On 2 November, Mr Ara Babloyan, President of the National Assembly of Armenia, sent to the Parliamentary Assembly an official invitation to observe the elections. The Bureau decided to observe them and constituted an ad hoc committee for this purpose composed of 31 members (EPP/CD: 10; SOC: 10, EC: 5, ALDE: 3, UEL: 2, FDG: 1 – in accordance with the D’Hondt system) as well as of the co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee. On 22 November it approved the list of members of the ad hoc committee and appointed Mr Aleksander Pociej (Poland, EPP/CD) as Chairperson. The list of members is set out in Appendix 1. 2. In accordance with the co-operation agreement signed between the Parliamentary Assembly and the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) on 4 October 2004, a representative from the Venice Commission was invited to join the ad hoc committee as an adviser. F - 67075 Strasbourg Cedex | [email protected] | Tel: +33 3 88 41 2000 | assembly.coe.int Doc. 14801 Election observation report 3. The ad hoc committee (PACE delegation) visited Armenia from 7 to 10 December 2018. It operated as part of an International Election Observation Mission (IEOM) together with delegations from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE-PA), the European Parliament and the electoral observation mission (EOM) of the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR). The programme of the delegation’s meetings is set out in Appendix 2. 4. On polling day, the PACE delegation split into seven teams which observed the elections in Yerevan and the surrounding region, as well as in the following areas: Razdan, Gavar, Erebouni, Artashat, Yeghegnadzor, Vanadzor and Ararat. 5. The PACE delegation concluded that the 9 December early parliamentary elections in Armenia were held with due regard for fundamental freedoms and enjoyed broad public trust that needs to be preserved through further electoral reforms. Open political debate, including in the media, contributed to a vibrant campaign. The peaceful so-called “velvet revolution”, in conjunction with the political will of the current authorities, enabled the holding of democratic elections. 6. The Parliamentary Assembly has observed every election in Armenia since 1995 and, despite the complex electoral system and reported instances of intimidation via social media, the electoral irregularities which tainted many elections in the past were absent. It is up to Armenia’s elected representatives to launch legal reforms to consolidate the democratic process in the country. 7. The press release by the IEOM is set out in Appendix 3. 8. The ad hoc committee wishes to thank the heads and members of the parliamentary delegations of the OSCE-PA and of the European Parliament and the OSCE/ODIHR EOM for their excellent co-operation within the IEOM. 2. Political context 9. The last parliamentary elections in Armenia took place on 2 April 2017. They were the first parliamentary elections held following the 2015 constitutional amendments, which reduced the powers of the President in favour of the Prime Minister and the parliament. The Assembly’s ad hoc committee observed the referendum of 2015 which led to a new Constitution and in its conclusions it pointed out that “the core of the constitutional change – the shift from a presidential to a parliamentary system – was seen by many as simply a means for the current president to remain in power after the end of his second (and what would have been final) term – even though he repeatedly stated that he had no intention of doing so” after the 2017 elections. 10. One year after the last parliamentary elections in 2017, in April 2018 the former President Serzh Sargsyan was appointed Prime Minister with the power of Head of State following the constitutional changes. This event was one of the main reasons for anti-government protests in April 2018, which organisers described as a non- violent “velvet revolution”, and which resulted in the resignation of Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan and a change of power. On 8 May, the parliament, in a second attempt, elected opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan as the new Prime Minister. The government formed by Prime Minister Pashinyan committed to electoral reform and holding new parliamentary elections within one year. 11. On 17 October, the government submitted to the parliament draft amendments to the Electoral Code in an attempt to introduce significant changes to the electoral system and other aspects of elections.These included the removal of open district lists, a switch to a purely proportional system with a 30% gender quota and lower thresholds for seat allocation. The proposed amendments failed to receive the required three-fifths majority in the parliament in a final vote held three days before the call for early elections. 12. On 1 November, the President announced early elections to be held on 9 December. These elections were the result of a tactical resignation by Prime Minister Pashinyan on 16 October aimed at dissolving the parliament. A majority of members of parliament agreed, in advance, not to elect a new Prime Minister so as to allow early elections. 13. Women are under-represented in public office, holding 19% of seats in the last parliament, one of the 21 acting ministerial posts, none of the 10 governor positions, and only one out of 49 mayoral posts. 2 Doc. 14801 Election observation report 3. Legal framework and electoral system 14. The Assembly’s ad hoc committee recalls that Armenia has signed and ratified the European Convention on Human Rights (ETS No. 5) and its Additional Protocol (ETS No. 9), which enshrine a number of principles crucial for an effective and meaningful democracy, such as the right to free elections (Article 3 of the Additional Protocol), freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association, as well as prohibition of discrimination (Articles 10, 11 and 14 of the Convention). 15. The legal framework for parliamentary elections is comprehensive. The elections are primarily regulated by the Constitution and the Electoral Code adopted in 2016 and last amended in May 2018 in relation to parliamentary elections. The legal framework encompasses a number of other laws, including the Law on Political Parties, the Law on Freedom of Assembly, the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offences, as well as decisions of the Central Election Commission (CEC). 16. The May 2018 amendments to the Electoral Code and other legislation expanded the list of public officials and employees prohibited from campaigning and lifted restrictions on accreditation of media representatives, in line with previous Venice Commission and OSCE/ODIHR recommendations. In addition, greater sanctions and penalties were set for electoral offences, and criminal liability was introduced for forcing an individual to conduct a political campaign, for facilitation of vote-buying and for charity organised for the purpose of influencing voters. In addition to the election commissions, political parties, candidates and observers now also have the right to initiate investigations of administrative offences. 17. The PACE delegation, in its report on the observation of the 2017 parliamentary
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Contested Publics : Situating Civil Society in a Post-- Authoritarian Era : the Case Study of Tunisia, 2011–2013
    Fortier, Edwige Aimee (2016) Contested publics : situating civil society in a post-- authoritarian era : the case study of Tunisia, 2011–2013. PhD Thesis. SOAS, University of London http://eprints.soas.ac.uk/23642 Copyright © and Moral Rights for this thesis are retained by the author and/or other copyright owners. A copy can be downloaded for personal non‐commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder/s. The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. When referring to this thesis, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given e.g. AUTHOR (year of submission) "Full thesis title", name of the School or Department, PhD Thesis, pagination. Contested Publics: Situating Civil Society in a Post-Authoritarian Era The Case Study of Tunisia 2011–2013 Edwige Aimee Fortier Thesis submitted for the degree of PhD in Development Studies 2016 Department of Development Studies Faculty of Law and Social Sciences School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London Page | 1 Abstract Periods of sociopolitical transition from authoritarian rule offer renewed expectations for more representative and accountable state institutions, for enhanced pluralism and public participation, and for opportunities for marginalised groups to emerge from the periphery. Several thousand new civil society organisations were legally established in Tunisia following the 2010–2011 uprising that forced a long-serving dictator from office.
    [Show full text]
  • Armenia Second Joint Opinion on the Electoral Code (As
    Strasbourg, Warsaw, 17 October 2016 CDL-AD(2016)031 Venice Commission Opinion No. 853/2016 Or. Engl. OSCE/ODIHR Opinion No: ELE-ARM/293/2016 EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR DEMOCRACY THROUGH LAW (VENICE COMMISSION) OSCE OFFICE FOR DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS AND HUMAN RIGHTS (OSCE/ODIHR) ARMENIA SECOND JOINT OPINION ON THE ELECTORAL CODE (AS AMENDED ON 30 JUNE 2016) Endorsed by the Council of Democratic Elections at its 56th meeting (Venice, 13 October 2016) and by the Venice Commission at its 108th Plenary Session (Venice, 14-15 October 2016) on the basis of comments by Mr Richard BARRETT (Member, Ireland) Ms Paloma BIGLINO CAMPOS (Substitute Member, Spain) Mr Evgeni TANCHEV (Member, Bulgaria) Mr Kåre VOLLAN (Expert, Norway) Mr Vasil VASHCHANKA (Expert, OSCE/ODIHR) This document will not be distributed at the meeting. Please bring this copy. www.venice.coe.int CDL-AD(2016)031 - 2 - I. Introduction 1. Armenia adopted a new constitution by a referendum held on 6 December 2015, and moved from a semi-presidential to a parliamentary regime. A new electoral system as introduced by Article 89 and Article 210 of the new constitution requires the entry into force of a new Electoral Code by 1 June 2016. 2. In February 2016, the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Armenia, Ms. Arpine Hovhannisyan, requested the Council of Europe’s European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) to provide an assessment on the draft electoral code. The Minister submitted three subsequent versions of the draft code.
    [Show full text]
  • News Inbrief
    AUGUST 18, 2018 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXIX, NO. 5, Issue 4549 $ 2.00 NEWS The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 INBRIEF Russian, Kazakh Eastern Diocesan Council Chair Kalustian Presents Leaders Discuss CSTO Further Information on Cathedral Property Proposals Leadership AKTAU, Kazakhstan (RFE/RL) – The presidents By Aram Arkun of Russia and Kazakhstan spoke on August 12 about who should run the Collective Security Mirror-Spectator Staff Treaty Organization (CSTO) following criminal charges brought by Armenian authorities against the Russian-led bloc’s current secretary general, WATERTOWN – James Kalustian, chair Yuri Khachaturov. of the Diocesan Council of the Eastern Khachaturov, Armenia’s former top army gener- Diocese of the Armenian Church of al, faces coup charges stemming from the 2008 America, on August 6 gave an interview post-election Yerevan unrest. Russia has strongly concerning the efforts of the Council to criticized an Armenian law-enforcement agency’s pursue what Kalustian several months ago decision late July to prosecute him. Following the called “monetizing the air rights of the criticism he was allowed to return to Moscow to cathedral complex” of the Eastern Diocese perform his CSTO duties for the time being. of the Armenian Church of America in New Moscow has said that Yerevan must formally York City. “recall” Khachaturov before asking the other CSTO Over the past few months an states to pick his replacement. unusual public discussion has been Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan tele- waged on social media and even in phoned Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan the press on the proposal present- Nazarbayev on August 7 to discuss the issue and ed by Kalustian and several others had a phone conversation with Belarusian on May 3 to this year’s Diocesan President Aleksandr Lukashenko on July 28.
    [Show full text]
  • Preliminary Joint Opinion on the Draft Electoral Draft of Armenia
    Strasbourg, Warsaw, 10 May 2016 CDL-PI(2016)004 Venice Commission Opinion No. 835/2016 Or. Engl. OSCE/ODIHR Opinion No: ELE-ARM/286/2016 EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR DEMOCRACY THROUGH LAW (VENICE COMMISSION) OSCE OFFICE FOR DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS AND HUMAN RIGHTS (OSCE/ODIHR) ARMENIA PRELIMINARY JOINT OPINION ON THE DRAFT ELECTORAL CODE AS OF 18 APRIL 2016 on the basis of comments by Mr Richard BARRETT (Member, Ireland) Ms Paloma BIGLINO CAMPOS (Substitute Member, Spain) Mr Evgeni TANCHEV (Member, Bulgaria) Mr Kåre VOLLAN (Expert, Norway) Mr Vasil VASHCHANKA (Expert, OSCE/ODIHR) This document will not be distributed at the meeting. Please bring this copy. www.venice.coe.int CDL-PI(2016)004 - 2 - TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Introduction ................................................................................................................... 3 II. Executive summary ....................................................................................................... 4 III. Analysis and recommendations ..................................................................................... 6 A. Background and procedure ....................................................................................... 6 B. Electoral system ........................................................................................................ 7 C. Suffrage rights ......................................................................................................... 11 D. Election administration ...........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh Visit Report
    Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh Visit Report 7th– 14th August 2017 Welcome at The Lady Cox Rehabilitation Centre Photograph from the memorial for Fallen Soldiers titled ‘We Want Peace’ Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust Unit 1 Jubilee Business Centre 020 8205 4608 213 Kingsbury Road [email protected] London www.hart-uk.org NW9 8AQ Reg charity: 1107341 1 Executive Summary Aspects of the situation regarding Human Rights, military offences and the need for international monitors - Both The Republic of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh (also known as Artsakh) are taking steps to strengthen their democratic institutions, and the definition and protection of human rights in their constitutions. - Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh are concerned about the current global challenges relating to terrorism including Islamic State, and their vulnerable position in the South Caucasus region. - There is widespread concern over the escalation of Azerbaijan’s military arsenal. - There are extensive reports of the increasing propaganda in Azerbaijan to create “armenophobia” including anti-Armenian content in school text books and negative social media. - Political and human rights representatives in Nagorno-Karabakh highlight the urgent need for more international attention, including the presence of international monitors, to document first-hand evidence of aggression and to deter Azerbaijan from further military offences and perpetration of atrocities. - The spirit of the people in Nagorno-Karabakh is positive as they continue to rebuild their bomb- damaged towns and villages, often with impressive architecture style. Humanitarian Initiatives - The Government of Nagorno-Karabakh are making some of the newly built high-quality accommodation available for those suffering the legacy of war and people living with disabilities.
    [Show full text]
  • Archbishop Baliozian Laid to Rest ALMA Settle BIRMINGHAM, Mich
    OCTOBER 13, 2012 THE ARMENIAN Mirror -Spe ctaItn Ouor Mirror -Spe ctatror 80th Year Volume LXXXIII, NO. 13, Issue 4258 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 Kevorkian Estate, Archbishop Baliozian Laid to Rest ALMA Settle BIRMINGHAM, Mich. (AP) — A lawyer says a dis - pute has been settled between Dr. Jack Kevorkian’s estate and a Watertown museum over the owner - By Arthur Hagopian ship of 17 of the assisted-suicide advocate’s paint - ings. The executor of Kevorkian’s estate, Michigan- SYDNEY — In death, as in life, based attorney Mayer Morganroth, told the Detroit Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, the News last week that the Armenian Library and late Primate of the Diocese of the Museum of America (ALMA) in Watertown, Mass., Armenian Church of Australia and will keep four paintings. Thirteen others will be New Zealand, garnered an endless returned to Kevorkian’s estate. row of tributes from all with whom The museum sued in federal court in he came into contact. Massachusetts last year ahead of a New York auc - And they were legion, for he was tion. It claimed Kevorkian donated the art in 1999. a man of and for all people. His estate said he loaned it to the museum for an They were all there, laymen and exhibit and subsequent storage. clergymen alike, standing in silent Kevorkian died in 2011 at age 83. and solemn vigil at his graveside as The Boston Globe reported in 2008 that his casket was lowered in the for - Kevorkian, who was the child of two Armenian eign soil of Sydney, a shore too dis - Burial ceremony, with Archbishop Nourhan Manougian in center and Archbishop Natan Genocide survivors, planned to attend the unveil - tant from his native Aleppo, Syria.
    [Show full text]
  • Letter to the Armenian Authorities on the Peaceful Protests in Armenia
    Secretariat of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum 10 rue de l'Industrie 1000 Brussels Armen Sarkissian, President, Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargstan, Former Prime Minister, Republic of Armenia Ara Babloyan, Speaker of the Parliament, Republic of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Armenia 23 April 2018 Letter to the Armenian Authorities on the Peaceful Protests in Armenia The Steering Committee of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum demands that the authorities of the Republic of Armenia immediately free all persons detained by the police during the peaceful demonstrations in the past nine days. These include Nikol Pashinyan, Sasun Mikaelian and Ararat Mirzoyan who are members of parliament and other detained leaders of the protests such as Davit Sanasaryan and Armen Grigoryan who have done nothing other than to organise people in exercising their right free assembly. The situation also requires that the authorities show restraint in dealing with continuing protests and undertake a dialogue with the protesters and their leaders to bring about an agreement which is acceptable to both sides. The recently signed Comprehensive and Enhanced Cooperation Agreement (CEPA) between the European Union and Armenia can only be implemented if peace returns to the streets of Yerevan and other Amenian regions and both sides work for a solution which leads to early elections which will establish the democratic legitimacy of the elected authorities. Only a leadership elected, in free and fair elections, can oversee the implementation of the CEPA and re establish a legitimate basis for the reforms which await Armenia. The path of repression which the current leadership of the country appears to have embarqued on marks a road to nowhere and risks the prolongation of the current crisis without any guarantee that lasting social peace can be established and a prosperous future for the country be ensured.
    [Show full text]
  • 5195E05d4.Pdf
    ILGA-Europe in brief ILGA-Europe is the European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Intersex Association. ILGA-Europe works for equality and human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans & intersex (LGBTI) people at European level. ILGA-Europe is an international non-governmental umbrella organisation bringing together 408 organisations from 45 out of 49 European countries. ILGA-Europe was established as a separate region of ILGA and an independent legal entity in 1996. ILGA was established in 1978. ILGA-Europe advocates for human rights and equality for LGBTI people at European level organisations such as the European Union (EU), the Council of Europe (CoE) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). ILGA-Europe strengthens the European LGBTI movement by providing trainings and support to its member organisations and other LGBTI groups on advocacy, fundraising, organisational development and communications. ILGA-Europe has its office in Brussels and employs 12 people. Since 1997 ILGA-Europe enjoys participative status at the Council of Europe. Since 2001 ILGA-Europe receives its largest funding from the European Commission. Since 2006 ILGA-Europe enjoys consultative status at the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC) and advocates for equality and human rights of LGBTI people also at the UN level. ILGA-Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex People in Europe 2013 This Review covers the period of January
    [Show full text]
  • Comprehensive Report on the Activities of the President of the Osce Parliamentary Assembly
    COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY H.E. Mr. George Tsereteli (November 2017 – December 2020) February 2021 Upon assuming the office of President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in November 2017, I have strived to highlight several priorities, which include redoubling our conflict resolution efforts, ensuring that the OSCE is fully equipped to address new challenges, and promoting our common values and principles. Throughout my presidency, I have greatly appreciated the level of support I have received from Members of the Assembly and the Secretariat in both Copenhagen and Vienna. This has been crucial to pursue an ambitious agenda to meet our most pressing challenges such as addressing conflicts, radicalization and terrorism, and migration, implementing our human right commitments, striving to achieve gender equality, fostering economic co-operation, expanding our international partnerships, and reforming the OSCE PA to make our work more impactful. Detailed information on my work as President between November 2017 and December 2020 is listed in this report. In addition to these primary activities, I have also made numerous statements when the PA voice needed to be heard. In addition, I have met on several occasions with Heads of OSCE institutions to improve co-ordination at headquarters and in the field and ensure that our activities complement each other. I have also met with numerous PA delegations on the margins of my travels – and online – to ensure that all voices are heard and reflected in the work of our Parliamentary Assembly. I want to thank parliaments that have hosted my visits, but also particularly applaud and thank OSCE staff.
    [Show full text]
  • Here the Same Person Could Be a Member of the Constitutional Court for 40 Years Has Also Been Eliminated
    “Honorable National Assembly President, Distinguished Vice-Presidents, Dear National Assembly Members, Dear People, Proud Citizens of the Republic of Armenia, The applicable Constitution of the Republic of Armenia provides for a model of the Constitutional Court that is widely regarded by international experts as balanced. The essence of this model is as follows: Candidates for three Constitutional Court judges are nominated by the President of the Republic, the Government, the General Assembly of Judges, the election is made by the National Assembly, and the Constitutional Court becomes the upper instance for balancing between the three branches of power. At the same time, the new constitution has two important nuances. Unlike the former Constitution, the RA President in office cannot be a member of any party, judges cannot be partisans either, and given the fact that the Speaker of the National Assembly has been deprived of the right or is not entitled to nominate a judge for the Constitutional Court, we can state that the risks of politicization of the Constitutional Court are mitigated as much as possible in the applicable Constitution. The risks for the Constitutional Court Chairman to exercise pressure on the Constitutional Court are also mitigated, because unlike the previous one, the Constitutional Court Chairman is elected for a six-year term, not for life. In addition, a CC judge may be elected president of the court only once. In addition, unlike the previous Constitution, the President of the Constitutional Court is elected by the judges of the Constitutional Court and not by the National Assembly. In addition, the abnormal practice where the same person could be a member of the Constitutional Court for 40 years has also been eliminated.
    [Show full text]
  • THE ARMENIAN Mirrorc SPECTATOR Since 1932
    THE ARMENIAN MIRRORc SPECTATOR Since 1932 Volume LXXXXI, NO. 41, Issue 4683 MAY 1, 2021 $2.00 Thank You President Biden KEN MARTIN PHOTO STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE DAY WASHINGTON — Each year on this day, we remem- ber the lives of all those who died in the Ottoman-era Ar- menian genocide and recommit ourselves to preventing such an atrocity from ever again occurring. Beginning on April 24, 1915, with the arrest of Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople by Ottoman au- thorities, one and a half million Armenians were deported, massacred, or marched to their deaths in a campaign of ex- termination. We honor the victims of the Meds Yeghern so that the horrors of what happened are never lost to history. And we remember so that we remain ever-vigilant against the corrosive influence of hate in all its forms. Of those who survived, most were forced to find new homes and new lives around the world, including in the A large crowd turned out for the Boston April 24 commemoration. (See story inside) United States. With strength and resilience, the Armenian people survived and rebuilt their community. Over the decades Armenian immigrants have enriched the United States in countless ways, but they have never forgotten the tragic history that brought so many of their ancestors to our Armenia Delighted with US shores. We honor their story. We see that pain. We affirm the history. We do this not to cast blame but to ensure that what happened is never repeated. Recognition of Genocide Today, as we mourn what was lost, let us also turn our eyes to the future — toward the world that we wish to build trauma of the 106 year-old Genocide.
    [Show full text]
  • Democratic Disaster Risk Management and Pandemic Control
    Democratic Disaster Risk Management andTitel Pandemic Control Socio‐Political Debates on Civil Liberties during the SARS‐CoV‐2 Pandemic with Examples from Armenia and Germany Untertitel Academy of the Disaster Research Unit (ADRU) ADRU Report No. 10 SaraKFS Working T. Merkes Paper Nr. AutorŞermin 1, Titel Güven AutorMartin 2, TitelVoss , Prof. Dr. © 2021 ADRU ‐ All rights reserved The authors are solely responsible for the content of the document. Any commercial use of the documents, including parts and excerpts, is expressly prohibited without prior consultation and permission by the authors. Citation: Merkes, Sara T.; Güven, Şermin; Voss, Martin (2021). Democratic Disaster Risk Management and Pandemic Control: Socio‐Political Debates on Civil Liberties during the SARS‐CoV‐2 Pandemic with Examples from Armenia and Germany. AKFS Report Nr. 10. Berlin: AKFS. Akademie der Katastrophenforschungsstelle (AKFS) gGmbH c/o Katastrophenforschungsstelle Carl‐Heinrich‐Becker‐Weg 6‐10 12165 Berlin Academy of the Disaster Research Unit | AKFS Report | Nr. 10 | 2021 I Abstract In the year of 2020 and beyond, the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic both challenged and at times even overwhelmed health protection systems around the world. Choices by governments for containment and control strategies of the pandemic shaped political discourse and practices, public debates, as well as peoples’ daily lives. This report investigates the twofold manner in which societies and political systems address emergency situations, taking Armenia and Germany as two comparative examples. First, it presents the state of the art of research on democracy and disaster as well as pandemic management. This chapter closes with characteristics of democratic disaster management based on the literature review.
    [Show full text]