Corruption and Human Rights

On November 7, 9, 31, 2009, HCA Vanadzor organized public discussions and TV programs on “Corruption and Human Rights” in the towns of Tashir, Spitak and Stepanavan. The discussions and TV programs aimed to raise public awareness in five towns of Lori region.

Human rights defender and coordinator of HCA Vanadzor Artur Sakunts was the expert of the events, where representatives of the municipality, lecturers, teachers, students, NGO and media representatives participated.

A. Sakunts presented the essence of corruption and the link between corruption and human rights, corruption as a human rights violation, as well as the organization’s experience in preventing corruption in Lori region and preventive means undertaken in Armenia in general. He also mentioned that there exists every form of corruption in Armenia and added that the countries where there is corruption cannot develop.

He responded to the questions raised by the citizens, which were mainly related to the right to property, signing of sale agreement, corruption phenomena during the study at schools and at higher educational institutions.

Another public discussion and TV program is planned to have in Alaverdi and in Vanadzor.

The public discussions are held within the framework of the project “HCA Capacity Building in the Sphere of Human Rights” with the support of Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation-Armenia and the government of the Netherlands.