Brief description of the activities of Armenian Young Lawyers Association in 2007
1. Implemented activities
2. Statistics of the implemented activities
3. Other implemented activities
In 2007 the Armenian Young Lawyers Association carried out the following activities through the network of its offices:
Supporting Legal Aid and Information: AYLA started project implementation in July 2007. The project is aimed at providing free legal and information services and free legal aid to the socially vulnerable layers of the population, as well as to people with limited access to these services. It also foresees provision of free legal and information resources to the lawyers, law students and people that are interested in law. It is anticipated to carry out reforms of the RA Legislation in the scope of the project as well, in particular through the study of the legal sphere of gender equality issues, as well as recommendations and discussions, designing draft changes of laws and lobbying. The project includes organization of scientific conferences on the urgent issues of judiciary and advocacy spheres, as well as further publication of the specialized monthly Legal Newsletter. It also anticipates activities aimed at the capacity development of the AYLA.
Development of the Mechanisms for the Protection of Human Rights and Raising Legal Awareness in the Republic of Armenia: The project was carried out in the period of 1 June 2006 through 30 May 2007, with the financial support of Dutch Interchurch Organization for development Cooperation (ICCO). The project was aimed at implementing development programs for raising the legal awareness of the population, as well as the sphere of the protection of human rights, establishment of the Justice system and the civil society and strengthening of AYLA’s internal organizational capacity. AYLA published 50 titles of information leaflets, on the protection of everyday human rights, as well as the mechanisms for the protection of human rights. The leaflets were disseminated among the population of the rural districts of the RA. The volunteer trainers who passed training in the framework of the project, carried out seminars for the pupils of the senior classes of the public schools, students, employees of different organizations, as well as for the community members on the themes included in the leaflets. AYLA continued providing free legal advice services to the socially vulnerable layers of the population in the framework of the project as well through the network of its regional offices. The practicing lawyers, law students and other individuals that are interested in law, gained opportunity to use AYLA legal resources in the framework of the project. In 2007 the Armenian Young Lawyers Association published the 8th – 19th issues of the "Legal Newsletter", which is distributed freely among the young lawyers, law students, advocates, judges, as well as other interested individuals and structures.
The 2007 Philip Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition: Student’s teams of the law schools and the departments of law of other institutes of Armenia took part in the Armenian Round of the 2007 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. The winner of the Armenian National Round the students’ team of the law department of the Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) State University took part in the International Round of the 2007 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition on 25 - 31 March 2007 in Washington, US. The Armenian team was the 54th among 94 teams from different countries of the world. The achievement of the Armenian team was notable in the Competition of the Written Memorials. The Memorial of the Armenian team was the 33rd in Hardy C. Dillard Competition, which brings together the top Memorials from each of the National and Regional Competition, regardless whether the authoring team advances to the Sherman & Sterling International Rounds. The Law Foundation of Armenia, the Armenian Young Lawyers Association and "Legal Alliance" Law Firm were co-organizers of the competition in 2007. The US Embassy in Armenia provided financial support for the competition. The Judicial Department of the Republic of Armenia supported the competition as well.
Aimed at popularization of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in Armenia the coordinator of the Jessup Club of Armenia held meetings with the students of different law schools and law departments of the other institutes in Yerevan and in the Provinces of the RA. The JCA coordinator introduced information about the Competition, its history worldwide and in Armenia, as well as the order of participation of the Armenian teams. The law students received the booklet “Jessup Competition in Armenian and Worldwide” as well as the JCA Newsletters. The meetings provided opportunity to raise the problems, which hinder to the participation of the law students in the competition.
Raising the Legal Awareness of the Populations of 20 Rural Communities in Vardenis and Chambarak Regions of Gegharkunik Province: AYLA started project implementation on 1 September 2005, with the support of “Shen” Charitable Non-Governmental Organization, through funds leveraged by ICCO Holland continued it in 2007 as well. The project is aimed at provision of accessible free legal advice services provided by AYLA Gegharkunik regional branch through on-site visits to the population of rural communities of Vardenis and Chambarak regions of Gegharkunik Province who have no opportunity to use the necessary legal services. The program promotes to raising the level of legal consciousness of the population through organizing public hearings with the involvement of the representatives of the local self-government, and thus insuring the awareness of beneficiaries on the activities of the local self-government and insuring their participation in the community life. The project Newsletter is published and disseminated freely among the population as well.
Advocacy Campaign on Raising Public Awareness on Electoral Rights and their Protection: AYLA implemented the program within the framework of the MATRA (Social Transformation) Small Embassy Projects Programme (KAP) with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Georgia and Armenia in the period of March July 2007. |
2. Statistics of implemented activities
During the 2007 AYLA offices provided the following services in the framework of different projects.
Provision of legal resources
3575 people made use of the legal resources of AYLA in 2007. 2802 people (78.37%) used the legal literature, and 773 people (21.63%) used the Armenian legislative computer software program and the other services (computer, Internet and fax):
Type legal literature 2802 78.37 computer systems 773 21.63 total 3575 100 618 people or 27.95 % of the users are male and 1593 or 72.05% are female.
Sex female 2645 73.99 male 930 26.01 total 3575 100
Organization of seminars and Trainings
Development of the Mechanisms for the Protection of Human Rights and Raising Legal Awareness in the Republic of Armenia
The AYLA 7 offices organized and conducted 1 training course, which consisted of 4 seminars and 1 training course, which consisted of 17 seminars on fundamental and everyday human rights and the mechanisms for their protection. Total 147 seminars were conducted and 84 volunteer trainers passed training. After the seminars the volunteer trainers conducted similar seminars in the schools, institutes, as well as for the representatives of different companies, organizations and communities.
Free legal advice and advocacy services
In 2007 AYLA offices provided free legal advice services and court representation for the representatives of the vulnerable groups of the society. Altogether 3745 people applied for AYLA services. 1429 beneficiaries or 38.15% were male and 2314 beneficiaries or 61.79 % were female, 2 clients or 0.06% were the juridical persons.
Percentage of Beneficiaries, by Legal Service, AYLA 2006
Spheres of the free legal services Labor Housing Family Social Security Civil Rights Civil Procedure Administrative Criminal Law Land Ownership Health Education and Science Environmental Protection Gender Issues (family violence) International Law Criminal procedure NA Elections Other legal issues TOTAL
Type Physical persons Juridical persons Total Statistics according to sex of the beneficiaries:
Sex Female Male Total
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3. Other Implemented activities
ICCO Partners Meeting in Armenia
On 29-30 May 2007 the Dutch ICCO organization (Interchurch Organization for development Co-operation) held its Armenian partners meeting in Aviatrans Hotel in Yerevan. The meeting was aimed at introducing ICCO's changed strategy to its partners, as well as discussion of thematic and programmatic approaches of its new strategic directions. ICCO intended to review the activities and ongoing projects of its partners and to establish cooperation among them as well. Prior to the meeting ICCO representatives had visited the offices of their Armenian partner NGOs, including the AYLA's central and Vanadzor offices. The participants introduced their opinions, suggestions and considerations referring to ICCO's new approaches and strategy. At the end of the meeting ICCO suggested partner NGOs to introduce project proposals, which comply with its new strategy, goals and objectives.
Elections to the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia – 2007
In the period of 9 April through 12 May 2007 the Armenian Young Lawyers Association, through its network of 7 regional offices, provided free legal advice services aimed at raising the legal awareness of the population on the Elections to the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia. The AYLA volunteers in Yerevan and in the regions disseminated 10 titles of information leaflets on electoral rights that AYLA published in the framework of the “Advocacy Campaign on Raising Public Awareness on Electoral Rights and their Protection” program, which was implemented within the framework of the MATRA (Social Transformation) Small Embassy Projects Programme (KAP) with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Georgia and Armenia.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Practices in Armenia
Press conference on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) practices in Armenia was held in “Armenpress” News Agency on 2 April 2007. The press conference was aimed at presenting the results of ADR projects, which were carried out in Armenia with the support of Eurasia Foundation Armenian office, as well as the suggestions on the reforms in this sphere. Advocate Mr. Karen Zadoyan, President of the Armenian Young Lawyers Association NGO, as well as representatives of the Defender of Right Union, and the Union of Builders of Armenia, which had realized the projects, and Mr. Ara Nazinyan, Country Director for Eurasia Foundation in Armenia took part in the press conference.
AYLA works out the 2007-2010 Strategic Plan
On 23 and 24 February 2007 the Armenian Young Lawyers Association (AYLA) organized seminars for the self-assessment and working out of the AYLA 2007-2010 Strategic Plan. The AYLA members, staff, partners and beneficiaries were invited to participate. During the first day the working group referred to and discussed the AYLA activities carried out during the past three years. Further the participants realized assessment of the organization’s infrastructures through SWOT analysis. During the next working day the participants were introduced the External Evaluation Report of the AYLA activities for 2004-2006. Considering the conclusions and suggestions of the external evaluator referring to AYLA’s activities, as well as the self-assessment results, the participants referred to the essential for the AYLA activities directions and included them in the new four-year strategic plan.
Another Success of AYLA in the Court Case of Employees v. ArmenTel CJSC referring to the Preventive Strike this time in the RA Constitutional Court
On 7 February 2007 the Constitutional Court of Armenia considered the appeal of advocate Liana Harutyunyan, member of the Armenian Young Lawyers Association NGO who defends the rights of Harutyun Kharatyan, Armen Abrahamyan and Andranik Ghukasyan, ex-employees of the IT department of ArmenTel CJSC. The Court decided to sustain the claim and recognize the disputable provision of Article 73 and Part 3 of Article 75 of the RA Labor Code inconsistent to Paragraph 3 of Article 32 and Paragraph 2 of Article 43 of the RA Constitution as much as the right to strike is stipulated only by the condition of failure to solve the collective dispute in respect of signing the collective agreement and bar the right to strike under new conditions (including the condition of complying to the obligations, which may rise from the collective agreements signed before). The Court recognized the provision “… and organizing strike is prohibited” of Part 2 of Article 60 of the Labor Code as contradicting to Paragraph 3 of Article 32 and Paragraph 2 of Article 43.
Meeting with the Chairwoman of the Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs of the National Assembly
On 12 July 2007 Mr. Karen Zadoyan, President of the Armenian Young Lawyers Association met with Ms. Arevik Petrosyan, Chairwoman of the Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs of the National Assembly. The parties discussed some issues of mutual interest and came to an agreement to start mutually beneficial cooperation in future.
Meeting with the Chairman of the Standing Committee on European Integration of the National Assembly
On 20 July 2007 Mr. Karen Zadoyan, President of the Armenian Young Lawyers Association met with Mr. Avet Adonts, Chairman of the Standing Committee on European Integration of the National Assembly. Representatives from other four NGOs attended the meeting as well.
The Role of Right Protective Organizations in the Protection of Human Rights
The Human Rights Committee of the Armenian Young Lawyers Association (AYLA) and the Law Foundation of Armenia organized a discussion on the Role of Right Protective Organizations in the Protection of Human Rights, which was held at 11:00 a.m., on 16 July 2007in Yerevan Golden Tulip Hotel. The discussion was aimed at raising the role and importance of the right protective organizations; to elaborate efficient mechanisms for their cooperation with the governmental bodies; provide opportunity to work out more effective suggestions for elaboration of new approaches referring to the protection of human rights in the Republic of Armenia and their introduction to the attention of the relevant structures. Representatives from the Armenian and international right protective NGOs, the National Assembly of the RA, the international and foreign organizations in Armenia, the Chamber of Advocates of the RA and other interested organizations attended the discussion.
International Conference “Trilateral Co-operation and Civil Society” in Prague
International Conference “Trilateral Co-operation and Civil Society” was held on 12 through 14 September 2007 in the building of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs Prague. About a hundred representatives from the European countries as well as from Georgia, and Armenia attended the conference. Advocate Mr. Karen Zadoyan, President of the Armenian Young Lawyers Association, Head of the Board of Trustees of the Law Foundation of Armenia participated in the Conference as well.
Meeting with Mr. Robert Roomian, Ex-Chairman of the Armenian Bar Association of America
On 3 October 2007 the members of Armenian Bar Association served as judges in the Moot Court Competition, which was organized by the Law Department of the American University of Armenia. Participants of the Philip Jessup International law Moot Court Competition and the National Administrator of the Jessup Competition were among the invitees as well. After the Competition, Mr. Robert Roomian, ex-chairman of the Armenian Bar Association and his wife Mrs. Maro Roomian invited the members of the winner team of the Armenian National Round of the 2007 Philip Jessup Law Moot Court Competition, as well as the organizers of the Competition in Armenia, and Professor Ann M. Lousin from the John Marshall Law School to dinner. On 5 October 2007 the Armenian Young Lawyers Association hosted Mr. and Mrs. Roomians in the Central Office of AYLA, where they met with the members of the Jessup Club of Armenia. At the end of the meeting Mr. Robert Roomian was announced a Friend of Jessup Club of Armenia received the certificate for his unbiased and good will support to the Armenian teams in the international rounds.
Presentation of the Youth National Report
Presentation of the Youth National Report was held on 11 October 2007 in Golden Tulip Yerevan Hotel. Advocate Karen Zadoyan, President of the Armenian Young lawyers Association directed the activities of the legal section of the report. At the end of the presentation, Mr. Armen Grigoryan, the RA Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, handed gratitude letters to the experts and supporters.
Fourth Scientific Conference for the Law Students "Advocacy: Current State and Prospects for its Development in the Republic of Armenia"
The Fourth Scientific Conference for the law students "Advocacy: Current State and Prospects for its Development in the Republic of Armenia," for the law students which was organized jointly by the Armenian Young Lawyers Association, The Law Foundation of Armenia and "Legal Alliance" Law Firm took place in Yerevan Hotel on 5 December 2007. Twenty-eight students from the law schools of Yerevan, as well as from the regions had applied for participation in the conference. 8 applicants introduced their reports in time. In compliance with the official rules of the conference the authors of the best 4 reports were authorized to take part in the final, oral round. The participants introduced their works, which referred to the advocacy institute, the current legislation as well as noted the existing shortcomings and omissions.
Naira Dilanyan, 4th year student from the law department of the European Academy of Regional Education was recognized “The Best Oralist” and won the fourth. Mariam Osipyan, 2nd year student from the law department of the European Academy of Regional Education, was recognized the third. Igor Avakyan, 3rd year student from the law department of Gladzor University of Yerevan won the second prize and became the special prize holder, which was foreseen by Mr. Karen Zadoyan, the AYLA President. Varduhi Badalyan, 5th year student from the law department of Gavar State University was recognized "The Best Oralist" and the winner of the Competition. The winners received valuable prizes. Participants of the written round of the Conference received encouragement prizes as well.
"AR" TV Company, Public Radio of Armenia, Radio Station Freedom, as well as the newspapers "Hayastani Hanrapetutyun" and "Investigation" covered the work of the Conference.
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