On November 9, 2010 Sona Ayvazyan, Chair of Transparency International Anti-corruption Center, participated in a discussion of Draft Law on Assemblies, developed by the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia. Organized by GTZ Coordination Office Armenia within the framework of "Legal and Judicial Reform in the South Caucasus" Project, the event brought together experts, representatives of international organizations, diplomatic missions, state institutions and NGOs.

Vardan Poghosyan of GTZ, Assistant to the President of Armenia Gevorg Kostanyan and German Ambassador Hans-Jochen Schmidt delivered opening speech. The draft law on Assemblies was presented by Armen Harutyunyan, Human Rights Defender of Armenia. In his opinion, the idea to improve legislation arouse still in May soon after he published his ad-hoc report on freedom of assembly. The serious problems dealing with the legislation and its practical application that continue up till now, became obvious particularly after March 1, 2008 events.

The experts of OSCE/ODIHR and Council of Europe Venice Commission took part in the discussions. The representatives of Human Rights Defenders' Offices of Moldova and Ukraine shared the corresponding laws of their countries.

The discussions on the bill will continue. Government representatives, National Assembly experts and lawyers will give their conclusions.