A number of civil society organizations united in the Partnership for Open Society Initiative hereby express our opinion on the matter of Armenia’s recent joining a number of CIS countries in requesting changes in OSCE election observation procedures.

We consider this as yet another retreat from democracy and further isolation of the country from European integration. We believe this is a harmful development from all possible points of view, political, geopolitical, strategic and societal. It remains to be seen how much damage yet another destructive attempt can cause OSCE, one of the most credible international institutions. However, undoubtedly much higher is the damage that it has and will cause for Armenia.  The Armenian government’s action further alienates our country from developed democracies when it lobbies for closed election processes that are not accountable to the people in a country that has yet to conduct even one democratic free and fair election. It shows how little Armenian authorities care for adhering to international standards. Most importantly, it contributes to the further undermining of already low levels of trust of the Armenian public in the Armenian government’s willingness to conduct truly democratic elections.

We can see no reason why a democratic and open government, which claims a desire to bring the country closer to democratic standards and the European community, would support the demand of not only limiting the number of election observers but also undermining the independence of the process. Since May 13, 2007, the Armenia government has repeatedly referred to the positive assessment of the Parliamentary elections. It claimed international acknowledgement of substantial democratic advancement. It used the assessment in justifying its eligibility for MCA and its readiness to embrace ENP. One might believe that having successfully “passed the exam” the Armenian government would welcome the opportunity to maintain at least the same degree of openness. What has happened in the course of the past few months that turned the government away from the very election assessment process it so heavily used to its advantage?

Guesses to the answer are numerous and, alas, none are becoming for the Armenian government. The upcoming presidential elections make those guesses even less flattering. Unfortunately, the Armenian government does not see the need to explain the steps it takes in international arenas. Nor does it provide any explanation for steps that are opaque and controversial.  In the absence of open public policy processes in Armenia, processes that will remain in the dark until public officials are elected in competitive, free, and fair election processes, the Armenian people are left to play the old Soviet guessing game when trying to decipher the Armenian government’s motivations.

However unclear the motivations, the damage to democracy and Armenia’s openness is quite clear. We, civil society representatives, protest against the Armenian government’s blind following of initiatives damaging to its people.

P.S.
When the text of this statement was already written, Minister Oskanyan provided the rationale behind the Armenian government’s joining this initiative. As per Mr. Oskanyan it is the urge to save funds by limiting the number of long-term observers. It remains unclear though, how the other, no less important provision of this initiative, namely making the OSCE/ODHIR observers’ report subject to prior governmental approval, will help saving money. One may only guess…


November 8, 2007