Home > 2.3 Observation > ARMENIA - Joint Opinion on the Draft Law on Referendum
 
 
 
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Paragraph 74
 

. Article 21.1(3) of the draft law provides that Armenian NGOs are entitled to field observers only if their statutory objectives include, for a minimum one year preceding the day of calling a referendum, issues related to democracy and protection of human rights, as well as economic or environmental protection issues. Representatives of civil society informed the Venice Commission and OSCE/ODIHR experts that the unclear wording of the provision could lead to its arbitrary implementation. The Venice Commission and OSCE/ODIHR recommend that the draft law make it clear that the presence of any of the issues listed in Article 21.1(3) in the organisation’s charter is sufficient for the entitlement to observation. Consideration should also be given to allowing observation by NGOs whose charter objectives relate to the issues put to referendum. The Venice Commission and OSCE/ODIHR have previously recommended reconsidering the one-year requirement, which effectively excludes newly created NGOs from observation. This recommendation is reiterated.