9 out of 10 in Armenia will say they feel unprotected, says Ombudsman

The situation of human rights protection in Armenia is not satisfactory, Armenia's Human Rights Defender Armen Harutyunyan said at a briefing today.

The reason, according to him, is that few are the countries worldwide where human rights are protected.

"Let's go to the street and ask an average person whether or not they feel protected in their relations with state agencies. I am sure that nine out of ten will say no," said he.

Harutyunyan also said that the current situation cannot be compared to the one that existed 4-5 years ago.

"Today, attempts to do something are made," said he, adding that the current positive trend to improve human rights protection gives comfort, and that the society, in turn, should help the country's leadership in that issue.

He said any striving society achieves results, but when it comes to Armenia, Harutyunyan cannot see the spirit of struggle. Nor has he heard widespread calls for change of regime.

"That is a separate, mere political issue, which today is not popular any more. A change of regime cannot be an end in itself. One should not have the delusion that personal problems can be resolved under the guise of human rights protection," said Harutyunyan.

He also said that the Office of Human Rights Defender receives more complains now from the judicial system, Yerevan Municipality and the police.