Human Rights 1

Drafted by: Marat Atovmyan
Title of the events: “The Role of Local Self Government Bodies in the Protection of Human Rights and Struggle against Corruption”
Location, date and duration: Hrazdan city, 14 May 2010, 13.00-18.00 (5 hours)
Description of the events:
A series of events was organized by AC-AR, the Armenian Young Lawyers Association (AYLA) and the Advocacy and Assistance Center (AAC) of Kotayk Province of Armenia.
Prior to the beginning of the events the participants organized an Anticorruption March, which took place in the Central District of Hrazdan City. Participants of the March distributed leaflets enlisting and explaining human rights to people on the streets and held anticorruption posters in their hands.
Further the participants of the march organized a tree planting event and founded an Anticorruption Grove near Hrazdan city “Tsovinar” lake and monuments of the victims of the Armenian Genocide, Second World War, Artsakh War and Spitak Earthquake. 130 trees were planted in the Grove. A small information poster about the founders of the Grove was posted  at this place. High level officials from Hrazdan city hall, and a volunteer from the USA also participated in the tree planting event.  
The seminar was held at the Kotayk AAC’s office. Mr. Marat Atovmyan, the Human Rights Events Manager of AC, Director of the Kotayk AAC, Mr. Karen Zadoyan, AYLA President  
and Ms. Kristina Grigoryan, Representative of the Mobilizing Action Against Corruption  welcomed the participants of the seminar. Mr. Marat Atovmyan introduced CABIR Project, the activities of  the Alumni Council and activities implemented by the Kotayk AAC in the last 12 months. Mr. Karen Zadoyan spoke about the “System and Procedural Reforms as the most important tool for the struggle against corruption.” Mr. Marat Atovmyan, reported on “The Role of Local Self Government Bodies in the protection of Human Rights and the struggle against corruption.”
Questions & Answers:
The participants asked questions to the speakers and expressed their opinions about the topics dealt with the seminar. Main topics of the discussion were on the impact of corruption on human rights and economic development of the country, and how self government bodies, NGOs, educational organizations can effectively  struggle against corruption and assist in protecting  human rights  in Armenia.
Summarizing the results of the competition which saw pupils write compositions on the topic “Corruption is  Evil”. Six were the winners, they received certificates and prizes. While some 50 pupils received certificates for their participation to the competition.  
At the end, was a ceremony to hand over Commendation Certificates to  volunteers, citizens, journalists, and the partners of AAC, for their contribution to the activities related to the  protection of human rights and the struggle against corruption in Armenia, particularly in  the  Kotayk Province.
A reception followed to the above mentioned events.
The TV channels from Hrazdan and Charentsavan cities also participated to the events. They broadcasted information about the events in the TV news and prepared a 20 minutes films.  
Number of participants: 42
CABIR Alumni - 1
Educational Institutions: 11
State Officials: 2
Mass Media: 5
NGOs: 18
Volunteer from USA: 1
Officers of the Army: 2  
International organizations: 2