24 August, 2010         

Press release

On the establishment of Gyumri Anticorruption Center

Journalists’ Club “Asparez”, through close collaboration with the “Transparency International Anti-corruption Center” and Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor office, implemented a project “Advocacy and Assistance center in Shirak Region” in the period from October 2008 to July 2010. The goal of the project was to provide legal assistance and judicial protection to the citizens and organizations that had suffered from corruption.

During the 22 months of the project implementation the number of the citizens who applied to the Shirak AACenter was 352, out of which legal consultation was provided to 324, the complaints of 51 were connected with the activities or inaction of the local, state authorities, persons having superior position in the market and had corruptive nature, which was expressed through inaction, abuse of the position, exceeding their commission, own ”law” production, bribery, etc. For the protection of the interests of 16 beneficiaries of the Center judicial acts were initiated, 2 from which failed because of the biased judge (Members of the Council of Gyumri School N 19 versus RA Shirak governor), and 14 due to objective trial ended successfully in favour of the beneficiaries (13 Gyumri builders versus “EMH Construction” CJSC, Gohar Abrahamyan versus Shirak governor).

128 beneficiaries applied to the Center through hot line and received consultative assistance.

The project was implemented through grant assistance of USAID and CASALS, the support was provided by the American people.

At the end of the project, analyzing the received complaints, opinions of the beneficiaries, corruption situation and tendencies in Armenia, as well as the experience of the partner organizations in this sphere, Journalists’ Club “Asparez” found it meaningful to continue provision of services by our own and voluntary resources to individuals and legal entities that have suffered from corruption. Through this release we announce that Journalists’ Club “Asparez” establishes Gyumri Anticorruption Center (GAC) which will be formed into an independent Non-governmental organization by the end of September, 2010.

The mission of Gyumri Anticorruption Center is to participate in easing and liquidation of state capturing level corruption in Armenia.

The goals of GAC are:

• To provide legal and judicial assistance to individuals and legal persons who have suffered from corruption, abuse of power, position and authority.
• To monitor the usage of public funds and resources, observe and find out facts of public resources abuse, to pursue those who abuse public funds up to adequate punishment and reimbursement.
• To participate in the reform of the legislation and legislation implementation practice so as corruption risks are really reduced.

Gyumri Anticorruption Center goes on providing services to its beneficiaries of the already closed project.

Journalists’ Club “Asparez” expresses its gratitude to the American people, Transparency International Anticorruption Center, Helsinki Civil Assembly Vanadzor office, USAID and CASAIS for assistance and collaboration.

All the questions connected with this release can be directed to the temporary coordinator of Gyumri Anticorruption Center Levon Barseghayn.

+37491821363, levon@asparez.am