INTERNATIONAL LAWYERS UNION ADRESSES ARMENIAN PRESIDENT
Support A1+!International Lawyers Union sent Monday an open letter to president Kocharyan. The Union members called on the president not to sign the act on lawyers passed recently by the parliament at the last reading.
At the third reading, another bill, not the bill worked out by them and approved at the second reading, was presented to lawmakers, the message says.
The union members are convinced the bill worked out by them was distorted deliberately, taking into account justice ministry’s interests.
The key change that prompted the lawyers’ angry reaction was made at the last moment in the provision specifying that only a person having at least 7 years of professional experience is eligible to be elected as chair of the Lawyers Chamber.
Another provision says the post requires even a 10-year experience.
The lawyers say such restrictions are made to interfere in the chamber’s activity and appointment of the ministry’s nominees to the post instead of more young and progressive persons.
