Freedom of expression in Armenia is basic right

The two workshops for legal counsel and judges aimed to promote freedom of expression in Armenia kicked off today in Yerevan.

The event is organized by Europe in Law Association (ELA) non-governmental organization with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, the US Embassy in Armenia, and the Armenian Representative Office of American Bar Association CEELI Inc.

The workshops are conducted by Gavin Millar, Queen’s Counsel from Doughty Street Chambers (UK) and Boyko Boev, Senior Legal Officer from the international free speech campaign ARTICLE 19, along with the ELA’s team of legal experts. The discussions focus on defamation and insult, privacy, contempt of court, court reporting and regulation of freedom of expression in the context of elections.

The event was designed in response to the increasing number of court cases against the Armenian mass media and journalists. It aims to enhance the legal awareness of Armenian lawyers and judges of international freedom of expression standards to improve fulfillment of the right to freedom of expression in Armenia.

Gavin Millar stated during the event, “Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right. The media has a duty to inform on all issues of public interest. The public has a right to receive such information. Any attempt to restrict the free flow of information and ideas in matters of legitimate public debate must be carefully scrutinized by the courts. Speech should only be interfered with when a pressing social need to do so has been convincingly established. All penalties for speech must be proportionate. It is essential that lawyers and judges fully understand these important principles. I hope that everyone attending will be able to carry them into practice in the Armenian courts. I am very glad indeed to be able to visit Armenia and speak at this event.”

Boyko Boev noted, “Lawyers and judges play a key role in a society governed by laws as opposed to political considerations. Defamed individuals turn to lawyers and judges to protect their reputation. Likewise journalists need competent and independent lawyers and judges to protect their right to free expression. Our training aims to provide knowledge on how to balance between conflicting interests, such as reputation and expression, and contribute to better use of legal safeguards for free and independent media.”