EPD project: Freedom of Information project in Armenia
In March 2009, two Armenian NGO projects were selected by the EPD Board of Directors for support. One of them is the project entitled “Accountability via Freedom of Information Implementation” and it will be run by the Journalist’s Club “Asparez,” based in Armenia’s second largest city Gyumri.
On September 23, 2003, the Armenian National Assembly (or parliament) adopted a law on the “Freedom of Information” which many local and foreign specialists consider progressive enough. But most citizens are both unaware of the law and uninformed of the rights that the law affords them. The situation is worse in regions than in the capital. Citizens remain uninformed about the activities, structures and decisions of Regional Administration offices and mostly local governmental authorities.
This project aims to raise awareness of the people living in 12 cities of the Shirak, Lori and Tavush regions, the officials of the institutions of the public, community and state, the lawyers, the workers in the judicial system, the journalists working in the above-mentioned territories, and NGOs about the content of this law and about the responsibilities and rights that they gain from the framework of this law. The main goal of the project is that all the officials recognize their responsibilities and towards the population in the framework provided by this law, be available for the people and become more accountable towards the society.
The implementation of the project started in April and will last for 12 months. The Journalist’s Club “Asparez” is planning to implement public activities in partnership with the Helsinki Citizens Assembly, Vanadzor Office, as well.