Representative of the “My Step” faction at the National Assembly Armen Khachatryan has delivered a speech at the National Assembly, expressing doubts about the need for the Corruption Prevention Committee. According to the MP, there are already bodies in the state structures which have the powers and responsibilities granted to the commission by law and should prevent corruption and disclose already occurred instances of corruption.
The FIP.am team has addressed international perceptions of fight against corruption and considers the MP’s statement on the necessity of legislative amendment as manipulative because the state bodies mentioned by the MP, including the police, do not have the tools that are provided by law to the Corruption Prevention Committee.
The functions of the Commission include supervision over observance of incompatibility requirements for high ranking officials and other restrictions, as well as the observance of ethics rules, regulations related to conflict of interests for high-ranking officials, except for deputies, judges and prosecutors, regulation of the declaration process, inspection and analysis of declarations, ensuring integrity of application of incompatibility requirements and other restrictions established by law, and participation in developing corruption-related policies. The latter is of particular importance for disseminating anti-corruption knowledge among the public.
The powers granted to the commission by law are not possessed by any state body. For example, the Commission develops educational and public awareness raising programs on anti-corruption issues and implements related activities, provides suggestions to incorporate and organize anti-corruption trainings in education programs, including those designed for officials and public servants, and provide educational and methodological guidelines for educational programs and other materials.
