Armenian Ministry of Internal Affairs withdraws mass video surveillance installation project

YEREVAN, December 24. /ARKA/. Armenian Ministry of Internal Affairs has withdrawn the draft law on the installation of video surveillance systems by business entities on their premises.

"During the discussions of the previous draft, an approach was proposed that was deemed acceptable by several interested parties. According to this approach, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia will be granted access to the video surveillance systems of local government bodies and state agencies," the ministry said in a statement.

The Ministry expressed its readiness to organize discussions with all interested parties as part of a new initiative.

About the Bill

Earlier, the bill was adopted by parliament in the first reading, after which the Ministry of Internal Affairs decided to postpone its submission for a second reading due to widespread public concern.

The bill proposed requiring certain categories of business entities to install cameras at entrances and other external areas of their facilities. This included banks, credit institutions, pawnshops, pharmacies, currency exchange offices with separate entrances, post offices, educational institutions, and others.

Additionally, the changes would apply to retail facilities larger than 100 square meters, fuel stations, catering outlets larger than 50 square meters, and underground parking lots. The second category covered vehicles, with cameras required inside ambulances, buses, and minibuses that regularly transport passengers.

The bill stipulated that an SNCO (State Non-Commercial Organization) under the Ministry of Internal Affairs would monitor the operation of these cameras 24/7. According to Ara Fidanyan, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the department does not intend to monitor citizens.