Minister: Armenia needs new constitution

Armenian Minister of Justice Srbuhi Galyan has called for the development of a new constitution.

"As I have repeatedly stated, our goal is to have the text of a new constitution ready before the elections. Our efforts should be directed towards this goal," the minister said during a press conference on January 14, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

Armenian experts believe one of the reasons for this move is Azerbaijan's demand to remove references to the Declaration of Independence in the constitution, which contains territorial claims against Azerbaijan.

In response to a question about whether the need for a new constitution is linked to statements from other countries, the minister deemed the assumption inappropriate. 

She explained that the issue of a new constitution was raised immediately after the "Velvet Revolution," and a concept was even developed, but the work did not lead to a logical conclusion.

The minister believes that the current constitution fails to address socially significant issues and is not connected to foreign policy.

At the same time, she emphasised that there is no need for constitutional changes related to the peace process, and the matter is closed with no such connection. 

When asked whether the new constitution would retain references to the Declaration of Independence, she declined to comment, explaining that a working group would soon begin drafting the text, and once the commission resumes its work, its activities will be made public.

The minister reiterated that the final decision will rest with people. 

Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Armenia requires a new constitution.

He highlighted that the Constitution represents a collective agreement among citizens regarding the country's rules, rights, and responsibilities.

The prime minister stressed that the term "sovereign" in the Constitution signifies that the people of Armenia are sovereign not only in a legal sense but also, following the 2018 revolution, in a practical sense.

"The existing Constitution generates significant social and psychological tension among citizens," Pashinyan said. 

"Due to well-known reasons, Armenians today do not believe that the current Constitution represents their vision of societal and national rules. Instead, they perceive it as a document crafted and enforced by the ruling elite."

He emphasised that Armenia requires a new Constitution that the people will consider their own, one that reflects their ideas about the country and their relationship with it.

"We need a new Constitution that will be organically connected with its creators—the people," Pashinyan said.

By Naila Huseynova