Armenia’s Ombudsman demands additional funding for agency next year
05.11.2012,
17:47
Armenia’s human rights defender, Karen Andreasyan, demanded 11.8 million drams in additional funding for the agency for the next year when speaking at a parliament-organized hearing on the 2013 budget today.
YEREVAN, November 5. / ARKA /. Armenia’s human rights defender, Karen Andreasyan, demanded 11.8 million drams in additional funding for the agency for the next year when speaking at a parliament-organized hearing on the 2013 budget today.
He said under the draft budget the office of the human rights defender will get only by 3.1 million drams more than in 2012. Overall the government has earmarked 176.9 million drams for the office next year.
"The need for additional funding stems from Armenia’s additional international commitments; in particular, Armenia is a member of the International Convention Against Torture, which involves introduction of preventive mechanisms", he said.
The Ombudsman said that the required additional funds will be used to increase the salaries of its physician, sociologist, social worker. He said the office has on its payroll now 45 people.
"Regarding regional offices, they keep on operating thanks to the enthusiasm of volunteers and the assistance from the EU, which, however, is designed only for 2014", he said. ($ 1 - 405.96 drams). -0-
