NGOs in Armenia

Q&A with Karen Asatryan, president of the Armenian Centre for Integration and Democratization (ACID).

Thank you that you agreed on an interview. How do you think, on what stage of development is today the non-governmental sector of Armenia?

Over 3.400 non-governmental organizations are registered in Armenia presently. Fortunately, we face no problems with registration. The majority of these non-governmental organizations were set up after the earthquake in Armenia during 1988-1990. Their basic activities were limited by distribution of humanitarian aid. From 1996-1998 years the sector moved from rendering humanitarian aid to rehabilitation activities. The next, development stage starts from 2000.

It should be noted that we underwent two repeated registrations. Firstly, it occurred in 1996 as a result of adoption of the Law on Non-governmental Organizations and secondly in 2000, when the Civil Code of Armenia was adopted. It can be said that most non-governmental organizations have not undergone repeated registration and they simply exist on paper.

Presently the non-governmental organizations are developing in the regions of Armenia as well that is a rather positive tendency. This means that the so-called Yerevan syndrome is now a thing of the past. On the basis of my 15-year experience of working in the non-governmental sector, I can say that if until 2000 the non-governmental organizations were basically developing in the capital, now they have strengthened in the regions as well. We support this tendency and spare no efforts to strengthen the non-governmental sector in the regions of Armenia.      

Which are the key sectors of NGO activities?

The NGOs basically work over human rights, gender issues, migration, refugees, disabled, vulnerable groups of population, children issues, etc.

How do these organizations cooperate with each other, if they cooperate at all? Does there exist any principle of coalition activities?

In my opinion, since 1994 a concept of cooperation and creation of NGO coalitions was artificially introduced. In 1994 we established the first Union of Armenian NGOs. By the way, I chaired this Union. However, since this Union was established artificially, naturally it disintegrated soon. The first club of NGOs was founded in 1996; however it faced the similar problems. In 1998 a Confederation of Non-Governmental Organizations was set up. It should be noted, that neither this initiative was the sector’s idea. It was rather a willingness of donors to develop the cooperation among NGOs through coalition grants. Naturally, along with suspension of funding the coalition disintegrated. Currently the non-governmental organizations, of course, cooperate with each other; however this issue is not publicly discussed. These organizations recognize the necessity of joint efforts and exchange of information. For example, we cooperate with the Sakharov Center, the Future Generation, the National Union of the Shiraq NGOs, etc. We also implement joint projects.

What can you say about the attitude of the government towards the non-governmental organizations?

It is a very interesting theme. Shortly speaking, the attitude was not so positive. However, the 1996 Geneva Conference “forced” the government to pay more attention to the non-governmental organizations; so, the cooperation was launched. However, particular surprises were still ahead: the so-called GONGOs (the government organized NGOs) were set up. This was because of the key requirement of the donors. They pledged to cooperate with the government only in case if the latter cooperated with NGOs. It is worth noting that we underwent this stage as well. Although, today the government’s attitude is not always positive, we have rather strong non-governmental organizations, who can change much even by one move or one letter.

Can you bring an example?

Of course, for example, in 2000 General Director of Armenian Human Rights Protection Centre after name of A.D. Sakharov Levon Nersisyan sent a letter to the President as a result of which a certain provision was changed in the Law on Citizenship. The law included paragraph 6, according to which if our citizens living abroad took new passports, they would be considered Armenian citizens, if not, they would become apatrids – persons without citizenship. If we take into account the corruption reigning at our consulates abroad, this really was a huge problem.

The sector has achieved particular success with one of the leading construction companies, which did not take into account serious details being of vital importance for disabled persons while constructing the roads. This attracted the attention of the NGO working over these issues. On behalf of the entire sector we applied to the Parliament, as a result of which 18 roads located in the center of Yerevan have been equipped with all the necessary rumps for disabled people.

What kind of policy do the donors pursue in the country and what kind of attitude do they have regarding the non-governmental organizations?

I will discuss this issue in the historical context. At the very beginning the donors acting in Armenia were oriented to humanitarian aid, which did not require special guidelines. Subsequently, when NGOs moved to the rehabilitation and development stage of development, particular directives were outlined by the donors. It should be said, that the work was extremely difficult. Now, we conduct need assessment together with donors. For example, we actively work with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Donors themselves come to us if they see a well-fulfilled work.

Are any new trends or directions observed in the non-governmental sector of Armenia?

Of course, there are some issues, which are not so important today, as they used to be several years ago. For example, a shelter for refugees is still a problem, however not as acute as previously. We have entered a new level of development. Currently we work with the municipal organizations over decentralization issue, and the participation of the non-governmental sector in the decision making process, municipal budgeting, etc.

What do you think about further prospects of the non-governmental sector in Armenia?

It is worth noting, that the developed non-governmental sector is not always a positive phenomenon, especially when other sectors fail to overtake it. In my opinion, the developed non-governmental sector should correspond with, for instance, business or governmental sector. This means that certain conformity and balance and harmony should exist that will finally become a precondition for the state development.