The parliamentary faction of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) adopted a decision to nominate Arman Tatoyan, deputy minister of justice, for the post of Ombudsperson.
Tatoyan, in turn, said his decision was not forced and he will be able to withstand pressure if elected as Ombudsperson of Armenia. "I am sure that I will be free to take steps to solve the problems the human rights defender faces," he said. Tatoyan promised to answer other questions too, when the parliament approves his nomination.
However, he recalled that he had 7 years of working experience at the Ombudsperson's Office and is familiar to the field.
Earlier, in the Parliament, Head of the Bright Armenia Party Edmon Marukyan announced his intention to nominate Zaruhi Postanjyan for Ombudsperson. Zaruhi Postanjyan, in turn, said that she is ready to become the Ombudsperson of Armenia and to withdraw from the Heritage Party as required by the law. Orinats Yerkir and Heritage parties will support her nomination. ARFD and the Armenian National Congress have not decided yet whom to nominate for that post. Prosperous Armenia will nominate Makar Yeghiazaryan.
Human Rights Defender of Armenia Karen Andreasyan sent in his resignation on January 13
To note, Karen Andreasyan has rather tense relations with some circles of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA). According to the media reports, the reason is the conflict between Andreasyan and the Armenian President's son-in-law, Armenia's Ambassador to Vatican Mikayel Minasyan. This is why the RPA representatives loyal to Mikayel Minasyan ganged up against Karen Andreasyan and harshly criticized the latter's latest report in the Parliament. Experts suppose this was the reason of Andreasyan's resignation.
To recall, the former Armenian Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan faced a similar situation. The second president of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan, called Harutyunyan "the worst employee" and shortly after the latter sent in his resignation "as he was going to change his job".