According to the U.S. 2012 Human Rights Report, the most significant human rights problems in Armenia during the year were limitations on the right of citizens to change their government, corruption and lack of transparency in government, and the limited independence of the judiciary. In "Corruption and Lack of Transparency in Government" section it is mentioned that government did not implement the law effectively, and many officials engaged in corrupt practices with impunity.

In this context the name of former minister of environment, Republican Party member Vardan Ayvazyans name was mentioned. "On September 6, a foreign court fined Vardan Ayvazyan, a member of environment, the National Assembly and chair of its Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, $37.5 million demanding a bribe from the Global Gold Mining Company when he was minister of the environment. At years end Ayvazyan remained in his National Assembly posts, and no investigation was launched into the reported corruption."

The section also addressed Vazgen Khachikyan, former chief of the State Social Security Service, who was dismissed in 2011 on suspicion of embezzling approximately 113 million drams ($278, 000) in the form of pensions for persons who were deceased.

There is a mention that the government implemented some reforms within the framework of the "regulatory guillotine" program, which abolished a number of procedures in order to enhance regulation of business and administration of tax and customs administration as well as to reduce and reduce the opportunities for corruption. Corruption had a significant impact upon economic growth. The World Economic Forums Global Competitiveness Report for 2012-13 listed corruption as the most problematic factor for doing business in the country.

For full information on Human Rights Report on Armenia 2011 please visit US Embassy website.